The 23-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams, has revealed she is pregnant.
Serena, 35, has since deleted a photo which she posted on Instagram with a caption:”20 weeks”
She later confirmed her pregnancy but apologized for uploading it by mistake.
“I was just saving them [for myself]” she said. “I’ve been so good about it, but this was the one time it slipped.”
Serena says she discovered her pregnancy in January just two days before the Australian Open, but that couldn’t deter her from participating in the tournament.
“It wasn’t very easy,” she said. “You hear all these stories about people when they’re pregnant – they get sick, they get really tired, really stressed out.
“I had to really take all that energy and put it in a paper bag, so to say, and throw it away.
“Pregnant or not, no-one knew and I was supposed to win that tournament. Every time I play, I’m expected to win. If I don’t win, it’s actually much bigger news.”
Williams, who is taking maternity leave for the rest of the 2017 season, said there was no change to her plan to return to the tour as a mother next year.
“I definitely plan on coming back. I’m not done yet,” said Williams, who credited 36-year-old sister Venus for inspiration.
“If she’s still playing, I know I can play. This [motherhood] is just a new part of my life. My baby’s going to be in the stands and hopefully cheering for me.”
