There’s no denying Serena Williams is a true inspiration on the court. And on Saturday, after loosing the Ladies’ Single Final to german layer Angelique Kerber, the undisputed queen of tennis reminded us why she is more than just a sporting tennis star.
The gracious 36-year-old moved the entire stadium during her Wimbledon speech, including her good friend Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, when she revealed she was playing for ‘all the mums out there’.
“It was such an amazing tournament for me. I was really hoping to get this far,” Serena said while fighting back tears during her post-match interview.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but I can’t be disappointed. I have so much to look forward to. I’m literally just getting started.”
“To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today and I tried,” she added with emotion in her voice.
Although an intense competitor, Serena showed her compassion when she welled up as she praised her friend, Kerber who won the match 6-3, 6-3.
“She’s an incredible person, Angelique is, and she’s a really good friend, so I’m really happy for her,” she graciously remarked. “This is her first title and I know she’s going to really enjoy it and enjoy the moment. So congrats again. It’s amazing.”
Riled up and inspired by Serena’s fire and compassion and support for mothers everywhere, we take a look back at all of her best mum moments, because beyond sharing cute selfies, the champion shares important messages.
Serena Williams, her tech guru husband, Alexis Ohanian, and baby Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Serena loves asking other mums for advice
From asking Reddit users what she should pack in her hospital bag to sharing snaps of her bump and now her bub via Instagram, Serena Williams loves connecting with her followers on social media for advice.
She once even touched on the sometimes controversial topic of “push presents” taking to Instagram to ask: “Ladies is a ‘push present’ a thing? If so what did you get if anything? #conversationstarter”
Serena later reached out to fellow mums on Twitter to ask the question: “Fellow mums: How long did you breastfeed? Is it weird that I get emotional when I even just think about when it’s time to stop [breastfeeding]?”
The tennis stars conversation starters have become a source of information for many new mums.
Serena’s emotional open-letter to her mum
Nothing makes you reflect on the phenomenal work your mother put in like having a child of your own.
Serena Williams, who welcomed her daughter in September 2017, is no different.
In a Reddit post entitled ‘Dear Mom’, the tennis pro thanked her mother for “being the role model I needed to endure all the hardships that I now regard as a challenges–ones that I enjoy.”
“I hope to teach my baby Alexis Olympia the same, and have the same fortitude you have had.”
Read the full letter here.
Serena and baby Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Serena’s message of body positivity
Even before she became a mother, Serena inspired mum’s across the globe. In June 2017, the undisputed queen of tennis posed nude for the cover Vanity Fair, she was pregnant at the time.
The cover is iconic, at the pregnant tennis star cradles her breasts and displays her growing baby bump while look determined, strong and defiant.
During the interview, Serena candidly revealed that her pregnancy was completely unplanned.
“[I] did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally dropped,” Serena, 35, told journalist Buzz Bissinger.
She thought: “Oh my God, this can’t be – I’ve got to play a tournament. How am I going to play the Australian Open? I had planned on winning in Wimbledon this year.”
That incredible Australian Open win
Serena Williams made history when she beat her sister Venus at the Australian Open in 2017, winning a recording-breaking 23 grand slams. Little did we know she was eight-weeks pregnant at the time with her now 10-month-old daughter Alexis Olympia.
Talk about Wonder Woman!
“I almost died after giving birth:” Serena’s brave battle
Serena used her personal birth story to speak out about the importance of affordable health care for mothers and children.
Penning a column for CNN Serena revealed the complications she faced after giving birth, while stressing how important it is for women and children to have access to health care.
“I am so grateful I had access to such an incredible medical team of doctors and nurses at a hospital with state-of-the-art equipment. They knew exactly how to handle this complicated turn of events. If it weren’t for their professional care, I wouldn’t be here today,” she wrote.
Serena suffers blood clotting and soon after giving birth she endured a traumatic six-day a pulmonary embolism (when arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot) that led to multiple surgeries and complications.
When she proved it’s OK to take as much time as you want after pregnancy
When the tennis legend pulled out of the 2018 Australian Open after concerns about her fitness post-pregnancy, she did it with a message for all new mums.
“After competing in Abu Dhabi, I realised that although I am super close, I’m not where I personally want to be,” Serena said in a statement.
“My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’. I can compete — but I don’t want to just compete. I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time.”
Serena received an out pour of support from parents who understood the importance of time after welcoming a child into the world.
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