‘I’m Not Around Enough’: Serena Opens Up About Postpartum Emotions

Serena Williams has pulled out of the Rogers Cup hard court tournament, citing personal reasons.

File photo of Serena Williams and her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Serena Williams)

23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has opened about her decision to pull out of this week’s Rogers Cup, saying she is struggling with postpartum emotions and feels she’s “not around as much as I would like to be.”

Serena Williams gave birth to daughter Olympia Ohanian Jr on 1 September 2017 and is already back playing competitive tennis. She reached the final of the French Open in July which she lost in straight sets to Angelique Kerber and then last week she suffered a shock defeat to Johanna Konta at the San Jose WTA.

In a post on social media, the 36-year-old wrote that the last week had not been easy for her. “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.”

Saying she was was struggling with postpartum emotions, Serena said she had been leaning on her family for support. “I like communication best,” she said while also adding that she now felt it was “totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby.”

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.

Serena Williams

While opening up about what she herself had been going through, Serena also reached out to others new mothers.

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!

Serena Williams

While Serena did not mention when we would be catching her on court next, her home Grand Slam could be one of the tournament she would target.

The US Open, the year’s last Grand Slam, gets underway in New York on 27 August.