Sometimes, it’s hard to imagine your favorite celebrity or athlete living anything less than a perfect life. But they dont. They are human, with the same physical, mental, emotional and spiritual functions as the rest of us. SerenaWilliams, who holds the record for the most Grand Slams in the Open Era of tennis, is no different. She recently opened up to Time magazine and discussed some of the highlights and struggles she faces as she makes her comeback to sports as a new mother.
Just a few days ago, Serena lost the opening round of a #USOpen Tune-Up tournament to Johanna Konta. Although, previously making it to the final round at #Wimbledon. She has completed those, plus three other tournaments since giving birth last September all while “figuring it out” as she adjusts to being a new mother to her daughter, #Olympia. With so much to do and so many places to go, one question is always on her mind, “I wonder what my baby is doing.”
Welcoming Olympia into the world was not easy, according to Time Magazine. Serena endured a series of complications, to include a life-threatening pulmonary embolism and hematoma, which left the tennis star bedridden for six weeks following multiple surgeries. After her amazing triumph at Wimbledon, she shared the support she received from mothers all over the world who helped carry her through the toughest moments.
“I dedicated that to all the moms out there who’ve been through a lot… Some days, I cry. I’m really sad. I’ve had meltdowns. It’s been a really tough 11 months. If I can do it, you guys can do it too.”
However, all was not praise when Serena re-emerged. She became the target of social media criticism after a photo of her postpartum body was posted online, where she stated she used a waist trainer to help flatten her stomach.
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“I hated that I fell victim to that. It puts a lot of pressure on women, young and old.”
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Serena also became the target of suggested discrimination from The United States Anti Doping Agency, who have drug tested Serena five times this year, while her counterpart, Sloan Stephens, has only been tested once. She believes it’s because people fail to accept that she’s clean.
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“Look at me. I was born this way. They’re like, ‘Oh, she can’t be that great, she must be doing something.’ I don’t even lift weights. It’s all God, you know, but whatever.”
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Although Olympia and tennis occupy the vast majority of Serena’s thoughts these days, the release of her sister, #YetundePrice’s murderer doesn’t make resting any easier. She discovered the news on Instagram a few moments before the start of her match last week. “I couldn’t shake it out of my mind,” Serena says.
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“It was hard because all I think about is her kids and what they meant to me. And how much I love them.” She continued, “No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior. It’s unfair that she’ll never have an opportunity to hug me. But also…the Bible talks about forgiveness.” She went on to add, she “isn’t there yet” when it comes to forgiving her sister’s killer. “I would like to practice what I preach, and teach Olympia that as well. I want to forgive. I have to get there. I’ll be there.”
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Despite all of the struggles Serena Williams faces with juggling family, life and career, she does it eloquently and with all of the passion she’s got. “Nothing about me right now is perfect. But I’m perfectly Serena.” And that’s all we want!
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She is preparing for the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, the U.S. Open, in late August.
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