Mom’s biggest cheerleaders! Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their 5-month-old daughter, Alexis Olympia, rooted her on as she returned to professional tennis for the first time since giving birth.
Williams, 36, played doubles with her sister Venus at the 2018 Fed Cup in Asheville, North Carolina, over the weekend. The sister-duo lost the match to the Netherlands’ Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs, but Williams is confident that her comeback is on track.
“I honestly feel better than I thought I was going to feel,” she told reporters after the match. “I feel like I’m on the right track for me.”
Williams, who welcomed her baby girl in September 2017, recently revealed that she had to undergo an emergency C-section because of Olympia’s low heart rate during contractions. She later fell short of breath and several small clots were found in her lungs following a CT scan. Williams was forced to pull out of the Australian Open in January 2018 due to her medical complications.
“Sometimes I get really down and feel like, ‘Man, I can’t do this,’” Williams told Vogue on January 10 about motherhood. “It’s that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes. I guess that’s just who I am. No one talks about the low moments — the pressure you feel, the incredible letdown every time you hear the baby cry. I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times. Or I’ll get angry about the crying, then sad about being angry, and then guilty, like, ‘Why do I feel so sad when I have a beautiful baby?’ The emotions are insane.”
The tennis superstar frequently shares photos of her daughter with the Reddit founder, and even appears to have high hopes for her future in tennis. She shared a photo of Olympia holding a tennis racket earlier this month.
“Olympia Ohanian, at match point, championship point, even without her shoes she’s hard to beat. Serving now For her 12th Wimbledon title. 3 more than her mum Serena. @wilsontennis @olympiaohanian,” Williams wrote on February 1 via Instagram.
