Star-gazing in the Olympic village

Selfies with Serena, banter with Bolt.

It's all part of life in the Olympic village.

And for a humble Australian water polo player, it just reinforces they're on the world's greatest stage.

"Our first night in the village there was (Rafael) Nadal and (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga in the food hall and everyone was a bit in awe," Australia's water polo captain Bronwen Knox said on Thursday.

"Then last night we saw Usain Bolt. A couple of the girls got photos with Serena (Williams, that is).

"It's amazing the athletes you see who have inspired you and to be in the village with you is absolutely phenomenal.

"It's a fantastic experience and one of the great parts of the Olympic Games."

Teammate Rowie Webster was one of those to unashamedly pose with Williams, the 22-time grand slam winner and defending Olympic tennis champion.

"You grow up watching them on TV and idolise them, then you end up joining them," Webster said.

"I think it's a testament to all athletes if you work really hard you can end up alongside your idols.

"We try to instil that in our newbies, you're going to see some of the athletes you dream of being ... you kind of have to pinch yourself every single day when you see someone super famous.

"That's our job to try and become one of those athletes that everyone looks up to."