Serena Williams opens up about off-court struggles

Published by Reuters

Serena Williams arrives on court for her first-round match against Johanna Konta in San Jose; Getty Images
Serena Williams laments not spending enough time with her daughter in a confessional Instagram post a week after her shock loss to Johanna Konta in San Jose.

Serena Williams admits she was in a “funk” after the heaviest loss of her career, fearing her hectic schedule was not leaving her enough time to care for her 11-month old daughter Alexis Olympia.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Saturday citing “personal issues”, days after she was beaten 6-1 6-0 by Johanna Konta in the first round of the Silicon Valley Classic.

“Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk,” Williams, 36, said in an Instagram post.

Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom. I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal. It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby. We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be. However, that means although I have been with her every day of her life, I’m not around as much as I would like to be. Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes. I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week–it’s ok–I am, too!!! There’s always tomm!

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on

“Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.

“I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.

“It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby.”

MONTREAL: Venus, Pliskova win first-round matches

The American said feeling overwhelmed was a normal part of being a new mother and encouraged anyone struggling through a rough patch to stay positive.

“We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be,” she said.

“However, that means although I have been with her every day of her life, I’m not around as much as I would like to be.

“Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes.

“I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week –it’s ok — I am, too!!! There’s always tomm!”

Williams is scheduled to compete at next week’s ATP/WTA event in Cincinnati, Ohio in the run-up to the US Open.

Share this: 
  • Most popular articles

22 September 2017

Tennis’ obscure traits and trends

In the heat and humidity of the recent US Open series, there was a slow-mo nod to a long-r... More

24 November 2016

GIG: Djokovic the fastest tennis player in the world

Novak Djokovic is the fastest tennis player on the planet, according to new data from Tenn... More

27 August 2018

Rafael Nadal: The greatest teen in men’s tennis histor...

After Stefanos Tsitsipas became the youngest player to beat four top-10 players in a singl... More

30 December 2019

Second-serve return in the men’s game: an exploration

Nick Kyrgios’ first-round win over Andrey Rublev at last year’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow ... More