Two-time grand slam champion Li Na announced her retirement last Friday due to chronic knee problems, the 32-year-old stepping away from the sport in the same year that she reached a career-high ranking of number two after winning the Australian Open in January.
Serena will turn 33 on Friday, but has shown no signs of slowing down and won her 18th grand slam crown at the US Open last month.
Both Serena and her elder sister Venus have taken the decision to play less, a move that the American says has been instrumental in her continued dominance of the sport.
"I think at one point or another all of our bodies at some point betray us," Williams said.
"For the most part, I think Li Na is great. I think I summed it up: She's a star that is in the sky that always shines. It's always going to be there.
"As for playing less, I think throughout my career, I think it's definitely been able to help me have a longer career.
"I think next year something I definitely want to continue to do is really focus on breaking records in the slams and doing the best I can in those events and the ones leading up to those."
Serena has been tipped to break Steffi Graf's record of 22 grand slam titles in the Open era on the back of her success at Flushing Meadows.
However, Williams is adamant she is only focused on her short-term goals.
"I am not thinking about number 22 at all," Williams added. "I'm thinking about number 19."