Serena: Playing Aus Open was “nerve-wracking”

What made Serena Williams’ Australian Open victory in January all the more astounding was the fact that she was approximately two months pregnant when she hoisted the trophy.

But we never knew that at the time.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion made her pregnancy public in April, announcing that she was at the 20-week mark. People did the maths, and lauded her achievement even further.

In a recent interview with Channel Seven’s Sunrise in Australia, Williams admitted to feelings of uncertainty about how she would fare heading into the year’s first Grand Slam event.

“I found out the Saturday before the Australian Open started. We did this wonderful dance class for Berlei and I was in a daze because I had just found out that I was pregnant and I was thinking ‘what am I going to do? I still have the whole Australian Open to go through.’ It was completely nerve-wracking,” she said.

“I wasn’t nervous (about being pregnant) – I spoke to my doctor back in the States and he said everything should be okay. So I just cleaned up my lifestyle and started eating more healthier than normal – tons and tons of greens. It was crazy.

“I didn’t feel anything (in terms of symptoms). I told myself that I didn’t have time to be sick. I think if anything, it helped me to be calm. When I played in Australia this year I was really calm on the court – I wasn’t as emotional as I usually get and I was able to think things through because I thought, ‘if I lose I have a great excuse’ (laughter).”

Williams hasn’t played since beating sister Venus in the Australian Open final.

Yet despite being due around the date of her 36th birthday, the former world No.1 intends to stage a comeback.

She continues to train – albeit lightly.

“I definitely did a lot more bike work, usually I do running. So I focused on doing more bike. A ton of walking, actually. I would still hit the ball – I still do hit the ball every now and again so I don’t lose my touch,” she said.

“I’m taking it one day at a time. It’s not going to be as fast as I want it to be. It depends on what happens when you give birth – who knows? Anything can happen and it depends how you recover from that.

“After that we’ll see what happens.”