01of 37Jon Kopaloff/Getty"Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family. Maybe I’d be more of aTom Bradyif I had that opportunity. Don’t get me wrong: I love being a woman, and I loved every second of being pregnant with Olympia. I was one of those annoying women who adored being pregnant and was working until the day I had to report to the hospital — although things got super complicated on the other side. And I almost did do the impossible: A lot of people don’t realize that I was two months pregnant when I won the Australian Open in 2017. But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give."-toVoguein the September 2022 issue

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Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Alexis Ohanian, Olympia Ohanian Jr, and Serena Williams attend the 2021 AFI Fest: Closing Night Premiere Of Warner Bros. “King Richard” at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 14, 2021 in Hollywood, California

“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family. Maybe I’d be more of aTom Bradyif I had that opportunity. Don’t get me wrong: I love being a woman, and I loved every second of being pregnant with Olympia. I was one of those annoying women who adored being pregnant and was working until the day I had to report to the hospital — although things got super complicated on the other side. And I almost did do the impossible: A lot of people don’t realize that I was two months pregnant when I won the Australian Open in 2017. But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”

-toVoguein the September 2022 issue

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Cameron Spencer/Getty

Serena Williams of The United States of America serves in her Women’s Singles first round match against Laura Siegemund of Germany during day one of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 08, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia.

03of 37Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock"The last 2 years have been my greatest accomplishment."-on Instagram in 2019

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Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Serena Williams and daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

“The last 2 years have been my greatest accomplishment.”

-on Instagram in 2019

04of 37Serena Williams Instagram"When I tell her she’s beautiful, I want to teach her that she’s beautiful from the inside. Giving is beauty. Being kind and humble is the ultimate beauty."-toAllure

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Serena Williams Instagram

Serena Williams Instagram

“When I tell her she’s beautiful, I want to teach her that she’s beautiful from the inside. Giving is beauty. Being kind and humble is the ultimate beauty.”

-toAllure

05of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"She keeps me going especially during tournaments. Although the popcorn machine has her attention here, I know she’s watching and learning to see how I persevere in challenging and rewarding moments."-on Instagram

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Serena Williams/Instagram

Serena and Olympia

“She keeps me going especially during tournaments. Although the popcorn machine has her attention here, I know she’s watching and learning to see how I persevere in challenging and rewarding moments.”

-on Instagram

06of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"You know, it’s hard. Sometimes my heart literally aches when I’m not around her. But, you know, it’s good for me, I guess, to keep working and just to all moms out there that it’s not easy. It’s really kind of painful sometimes. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do."-toForbes

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Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., Serena Williams

“You know, it’s hard. Sometimes my heart literally aches when I’m not around her. But, you know, it’s good for me, I guess, to keep working and just to all moms out there that it’s not easy. It’s really kind of painful sometimes. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.”

-toForbes

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08of 37Alex Ohanian/Instagram"I’m going to go to sleep now cause the sooner I go to sleep the sooner I get to wake up and see @OlympiaOhanian night everyone"-on Twitter

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Alex Ohanian/Instagram

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“I’m going to go to sleep now cause the sooner I go to sleep the sooner I get to wake up and see @OlympiaOhanian night everyone”

-on Twitter

09of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"Kids humble us. The other day on a flight home Olympia insisted on running up and down the aisle and when I finally got her to sit still, she threw up all over me."-on Twitter

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“Kids humble us. The other day on a flight home Olympia insisted on running up and down the aisle and when I finally got her to sit still, she threw up all over me.”

10of 37Serena Williams/Twitter"I just put Olympia @OlympiaOhanian to sleep but I can’t seem to put her in bed I’m loving holding her in my arms. I want to milk every second!!!"-on Twitter

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Serena Williams/Twitter

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“I just put Olympia @OlympiaOhanian to sleep but I can’t seem to put her in bed I’m loving holding her in my arms. I want to milk every second!!!”

11of 37Serena Williams/Snapchat"Today I say Olympia fall… but she got back up. She fell again almost immediately…. and almost immediately she got back up again. She always had a smile on her face. I learned a lot from Olympia today."-on Twitter

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Serena Williams/Snapchat

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“Today I say Olympia fall… but she got back up. She fell again almost immediately…. and almost immediately she got back up again. She always had a smile on her face. I learned a lot from Olympia today.”

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Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

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13of 37Tim Ireland/AP/Shutterstock"These past 2 weeks was a sound for all moms stay home and working you can do it you really can! I’m not any better or diff than any of you all. Your support has ment so much to me. Let’s keep making noise everyday in everything we do."-on Twitter, following her Wimbledon defeat

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Tim Ireland/AP/Shutterstock

Britain Wimbledon Tennis, London, United Kingdom - 09 Jul 2018

“These past 2 weeks was a sound for all moms stay home and working you can do it you really can! I’m not any better or diff than any of you all. Your support has ment so much to me. Let’s keep making noise everyday in everything we do.”

-on Twitter, following her Wimbledon defeat

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Alexis Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

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15of 37"Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy-here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!!"-on Twitter

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Tennis French Open, Paris, France - 29 May 2018

“Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy-here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!!”

16of 37Gatorade/Youtube"I just put Olympia to sleep…. and I am already looking at pictures of her missing her."-on Twitter

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Gatorade/Youtube

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“I just put Olympia to sleep…. and I am already looking at pictures of her missing her.”

17of 37Serena Williams/Instagram; John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty Images for WTA"Last night after bath time with Olympia I had to put on her PJ’s We wrestled for 20 mins. She was flipping like a fish fresh out of water. If this was a Olympic sport she would have gotten the Gold and me I would not even place. There’s got to be an easier way."-on Twitter

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Serena Williams/Instagram; John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty Images for WTA

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“Last night after bath time with Olympia I had to put on her PJ’s We wrestled for 20 mins. She was flipping like a fish fresh out of water. If this was a Olympic sport she would have gotten the Gold and me I would not even place. There’s got to be an easier way.”

18of 37Roy Rochlin/Getty"I talk about the struggles all of us moms feel. It’s is so important to spread the knowledge."-on Instagram

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Roy Rochlin/Getty

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“I talk about the struggles all of us moms feel. It’s is so important to spread the knowledge.”

19of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"She never quits. And I mean NEVER quits. I love it"-on Twitter

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BghY4tGl3Cw/CR: Serena Williams/Instagram

“She never quits. And I mean NEVER quits. I love it”

20of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"Every day is my favorite moment"-on Twitter

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“Every day is my favorite moment”

21of 37"I just bathed her and put her I bed. Now I feel lonely and like crying cause I miss her so much. When does that go away? I can’t wait until morning."-on Twitter

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“I just bathed her and put her I bed. Now I feel lonely and like crying cause I miss her so much. When does that go away? I can’t wait until morning.”

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23of 37Mike Pont/WireImage"I think people need to talk about [postpartum depression] more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy. I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying … because I wanted to be perfect for her … I hope I am [a role model], and I’m going to strive to be the best mom I can be."-toHarper’s Bazaar UK

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Mike Pont/WireImage

Serena Williams WP

“I think people need to talk about [postpartum depression] more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy. I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying … because I wanted to be perfect for her … I hope I am [a role model], and I’m going to strive to be the best mom I can be.”

-toHarper’s Bazaar UK

24of 37Alexis Ohanian/Instagram. Inset: Karwai Tang/WireImage"Omg Alexis Olympia is snoring. Omg I can’t take it it’s so cute. Totally perfect small snore."-on Twitter

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Alexis Ohanian/Instagram. Inset: Karwai Tang/WireImage

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“Omg Alexis Olympia is snoring. Omg I can’t take it it’s so cute. Totally perfect small snore.”

25of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"With the help of God She’s the best thing I have ever been apart of."-on Twitter

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“With the help of God She’s the best thing I have ever been apart of.”

26of 37Michael Loccisano/Getty"Today I bought my first bag of diapers. I felt so grown picking out the bag. I may have even looked around hoping someone saw me."-on Twitter

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Michael Loccisano/Getty

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“Today I bought my first bag of diapers. I felt so grown picking out the bag. I may have even looked around hoping someone saw me.”

27of 37Olympia Ohanian/Instagram"We were watching football together but she got tired and had to take a nap. I miss her. Can’t wait till naptime is over."-on Instagram

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“We were watching football together but she got tired and had to take a nap. I miss her. Can’t wait till naptime is over.”

28of 37Serena Williams/Snapchat"3:30 in the morning. Not a soul in site. I’m just waiting on Olympia to wake up so I can give her kisses on this fall night"-on Twitter

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“3:30 in the morning. Not a soul in site. I’m just waiting on Olympia to wake up so I can give her kisses on this fall night”

29of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"I’m having a hard time posting about anything that does not involve Alexis Olympia or something to do with her."-on Twitter

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“I’m having a hard time posting about anything that does not involve Alexis Olympia or something to do with her.”

30of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"I literally sat Olympia in my arms and I talked to her and we prayed about it. And I told her, ‘Look, I’m gonna stop [breastfeeding]. Mommy has to do this.’ I cried a little bit - not as much as I thought I [would]. And she was fine."-during a pre-Wimbledon press conference

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“I literally sat Olympia in my arms and I talked to her and we prayed about it. And I told her, ‘Look, I’m gonna stop [breastfeeding]. Mommy has to do this.’ I cried a little bit - not as much as I thought I [would]. And she was fine.”

-during a pre-Wimbledon press conference

31of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"It’s very weird for me to believe I have a child… a KID. I’m a mom. A real MOM"-on Twitter

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“It’s very weird for me to believe I have a child… a KID. I’m a mom. A real MOM”

32of 37NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock"To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today and I tried."-following her Wimbledon defeat

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NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Wimbledon Championships, United Kingdom - 02 Jul 2018

“To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today and I tried.”

-following her Wimbledon defeat

33of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"I was still devastated. I think every woman, a part of them, wants to have birth naturally and [to] feel that … when you get a c-section it’s different."-to PEOPLE

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“I was still devastated. I think every woman, a part of them, wants to have birth naturally and [to] feel that … when you get a c-section it’s different.”

-to PEOPLE

34of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"Let me be clear: EVERY mother, regardless of race, or background deserves to have a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. I personally want all women of all colors to have the best experience they can have. My personal experience was not great but it was MY experience and I’m happy it happened to me. It made me stronger and it made me appreciate women - both women with and without kids - even more. We are powerful!!!"-on Facebook

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“Let me be clear: EVERY mother, regardless of race, or background deserves to have a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. I personally want all women of all colors to have the best experience they can have. My personal experience was not great but it was MY experience and I’m happy it happened to me. It made me stronger and it made me appreciate women - both women with and without kids - even more. We are powerful!!!”

-on Facebook

35of 37Rob Prange/Shutterstock"She took her first steps… I was training and missed it. I cried."-on Twitter

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Rob Prange/Shutterstock

French Open tennis tournament, Roland Garros, Paris, France - 24 May 2018

“She took her first steps… I was training and missed it. I cried.”

36of 37Serena Williams/Instagram"Not sure what I did to deserve her"-on Instagram

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“Not sure what I did to deserve her”

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Serena Williams

source: people.com