Serena Williams Wins First WTA Tourney As a Mom, Ready For Final Test

Posted on January 14, 2020

Serena Williams has won her first professional tennis tournament as a mom this weekend when she triumphed at the World Tennis Association‘s Auckland Classic on Sunday.

It was 2017 when she last won a WTA title, the Australian Open against her sister and back then, she was weeks pregnant with her now 2-year old daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr with her husband Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

This triumph marks her 73rd WTA championship title and also means she has been mounting tournaments for four decades, after capturing her first title in 1999 at the US Open against Martina Hingis.

Williams announced plans to give back to Australia during her winner’s speech.

“I’ve been playing in Australia for over 20 years and it’s been really hard for me to watch all the news and everything that has been happening in Australia with all the fire and… animals and people that have lost their homes,” she said. “I decided at the beginning of the tournament… I’d donate all my prize money for a great cause.”

With this win, she finally silences the naysayers who believe that pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood signal the end of a sportswomen’s career.

Although she is the most accomplished tennis champ since 1968 when the WTA only permitted professionals to compete, she still faces the final hurdle of earning her 25th Grand Slam title in the so called “Open Era” when amateurs were allowed to compete in Grand Slams. Margaret Court holds the record at 24 and ties with Serena at this point.

Williams can do it and in fact Court won three of her major titles after giving birth to her son in 1972.

Other moms have done it too.

Kim Clijsters won three of her 4 Grand Slams after the birth of her child.

Lindsay Davenport won 3 of her 55 Career titles after giving birth to her son.

And Olympic Gold medalist and seven times Grand slam winner, in 1914, Dorothea Lambert Chambers became the first mother to win a Grand Slam crown.

Mothers can do amazing things! Trust and believe!

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Watch Serena Williams’ US Open ‘This Mama Keeps Going’ Chase Ad

Posted on September 8, 2019

Twenty years ago, 23-Times Grand Slam Tennis Champ Serena Williams won her first US Open in 1999 and today longtime sponsor Chase Bank released a compelling ad on TV to commemorate that win as she continues on her post-motherhood journey to capture her 24th Title.

The last championship, she secured at the 2017 Australian Open while 7 weeks pregnant,

Thus, in a full-circle presentation, Chase brilliantly weaves the narratives of her athletic achievement and motherhood into the story of a singular life in the campaign video produced by Australian ad vet David Droga’s firm Droga5.

The advertisement is a continuation of a campaign the bank launched last year called “This Mama Keeps Going” and this time, a short film opens with a visual of a sonogram with background vocals. A reporter congratulating Williams. The video continues with shots of never-before-seen very personal videos and photos from Williams’ pregnancy and in the voiceover, she shares her excitement and struggles.

Interspersed is footage of her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, who she welcomed on September 1, 2017 with hubby, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and as the TV spot focuses in on Williams’ tough sojourn in recovery after a difficult delivery when she suffered from a pulmonary embolism. (Which immediately reminds us of her vocal advocacy for expectant mothers, especially women of color, after birth in the US.),

She didn’t win in today’s US Open Finals though she battled and defeated a lot of excellent players, losing to the younger version of herself, a stellar Canadian upstart, 19-year old Bianca Andreescu, the battle continues.

Through scenes of breastfeeding, pumping and calming a fussy toddler, Williams speaks about the joy of watching a daughter succeed.

Only then does it become clear that her words are from a press conference after her very first Grand Slam win, 20 years ago at the U.S. Open in 1999.

How awesome!!

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Serena Williams’ Poshmark Sale of Daughter’s Clothes Sold Out In Hours

Posted on March 11, 2019

Tennis phenom Serena Williams, a board member of resale website Poshmark, placed her daughter Alexis Olympia’s clothes on sale inside her Poshmark store and sold out all items within hours.

The proceeds from the clothing sold in Serena’s store benefit Yetunde Price Resource Center, named for Williams elder half-sister who was gunned down in Compton in 2003. YPRC offers resources to victims of direct or indirect senseless violence.

All of the 44 items sold were marked down 25% off and more and the prices were quite reasonable starting at $10.

This is not Williams’ first foray either into fashion. The Tennis Star launched her own clothing line “Serena” in 2018.

She joined the board of my fave place to unload clothed in my closet, Poshmark, in February 2019.

Williams is following in her husband’s StartUp footsteps by joining the PoshMark board and has been on the board of consumer survey start-up SurveyMonkey for two years now.

Williams has said she’s learned more about Silicon Valley since meeting her husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and a handful of other start-ups.

Check out the closet and check back to see when new items come up for sale.

And visit my store too while you’re there!

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Serena Williams Opens Up About Being Insecure As a Mom

Posted on October 16, 2018

Serena Williams shared her insecurities as a mother to a women’s conference on Friday.

“I always have these insecurities that I’m not good enough as a >mom,” the tennis champ told the group of about 10,000 attendees at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. “We all go through these different emotions that we all don’t feel comfortable talking about. But I think we should.”

The Philly Voice reported that during the event, Williams, who had a post-partum scare, expressed her shock about learning about the disparity of health outcomes with black and white moms.

She also talked about the pride she has in the fact that since becoming a mom, she has become an outspoken model and inspiration for working women worldwide.

Williams wrapped up her time in the hotseat by saying she wants her 1-year-old daughter to grow up in a world where women support other women.

The success of another woman should be the inspiration to the next,” Williams said.

She and hubby Reddit co-Founder Alexis Ohanian are parents to 1-year old daughter Alexis Olympia Jr.

photo: Getty

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The Perfect Reactions to Serena Williams’ Post-Pregnancy Blood Clot Compression French Open CatSuit Ban

Posted on August 25, 2018

The outfit Tennis champ Serena Williams wore to compete in the 2018 French Open last May triggered the competition to ban her from donning that “Wakanda”-inspired black super hero cat suit for future competitions.

“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted,” French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said in an interview with Tennis Magazine, adding it won’t adapt as strict a clothing code as Wimbledon, which requires players to wear all white, but will have its limits. He added that the FFT will be looking to view collections ahead of next year’s tournament.

The 23-time Grand Slam champ designed the suit with her sponsors at Nike with special compression material and technology to aid with blood clots she has and developed dangerously after delivering her first child, daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. with her husband Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

“I feel like a warrior in it, like a warrior princess,” Williams said during a press conference, adding that she felt like a queen from Wakanda, the fictional nation in the movie “Black Panther.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a superhero,” Williams said. “It’s kind of my way of being a superhero.”

Besides making her feel amazing, Williams’ said the outfit choice was also meant to inspire other new moms, especially ones who have also suffered post-pregnancy health issues. “For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy — here you go. If I can do it, so can you!” she wrote on Instagram at the time. She had been in bed for weeks after delivering because of the clots.

“I’ve been wearing pants in general a lot when I play so I can keep the blood circulation going,” Williams told reporters. “So it’s a fun suit but it’s also functional, so I can be able to play without any problems.”

This is yet another bump in her road after motherhood. Not only did she lose her rank when she had a baby last September, but she also suffered postpartum blood clot related near-death experience, postpartum blues too.

Nike had the perfect response to the catsuit ban:

“You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers.

I loved April on Twitter’s response which was supported by another Tennis Legend, Chris Evert!

And others not so subtdly pointed out that Serena was not the first to wear a catsuit though the first to be banned for it.

What was once a scandalous outfit is now, if not de rigueur, simply no big deal, thanks to fashion taste makers like Serena Williams. Well done @serenawilliams for your fashion tribute to Anne White and her 1985 Wimbledon outfit. pic.twitter.com/FCGONKXLA1
— Alexis Shabadoo Jr. (@JDGoodness) May 29, 2018

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Serena Williams Opens Up About Dealing With Postpartum Blues

Posted on August 9, 2018

In the same week that one of her good friends Beyonce opened up about having preeclampsia before delivering her twins Sir and Rumi, 23-times Grand Slam Tennis champ Serena Williams revealed that she was in the middle of dealing with postpartum blues when she pulled out of the Rogers Cup tournament citing “personal reasons.”

In an emotional Instagram post, she wrote: “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,” adding, “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.”

Williams, who recently gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia with husband Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, also offered gave up some encouraging words to other moms out there dealing with similar issues:

“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.” Read the post and check out a TODAY video on the story below:

View this post on Instagram
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 Aug 6, 2018 at 3:24pm PDT

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Celebrity Dads Celebrating Father’s Day For First Time

Posted on June 16, 2018

It’s Father’s Day weekend and a few celebrity dads who became fathers for the first time will be enjoying their first celebratory holiday Morrow. This list includes:

John Stamos waited until his 50s to become a dad. The Full House star and wife Caitlin McHugh welcomed son Billy in April

Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian welcomed daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. with his wife Serena Williams this year.

Also, rock star Enrique Iglesias and his wife Anna Kournikova quietly welcomed twins, his first children, after keeping the entire pregnancy secret.

Rapper Travis Scott and his girlfriend also kept their pregnancy under wraps until the end when he and Kylie Jenner become parents to daughter Stormi this February.

Reality TV star, game show host and recording artist Ray J and his wife Princess Love welcomed their first child, daughter Melody Love, together.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Married!

Posted on May 19, 2018

Today, Suits actress Meghan Markle and her fiancé married at the St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The bride looked elegant and radiant in a simple but classic long sleeve satin gown by Givenchy with a cathedral train. She also wore a heirloom tiara, little make up and tiny silver studded earrings with hair hair simple. Nothing ornate or over-the-top.

The ceremony infused her African American culture with British traditon. The Kingdom Choir, a predominantly black Christian gospel choir from South London performed a marvelous rendition of the Ben E. King R&B song “Stand By Me” during the ceremony and the Gospel version of “Amen” during the recession, and ended it with “This Little Light Of Mine” which is commonly sung in black churches.

An American Episcopalian clergy, Bishop Michael Curry, gave a spirited and passionate 20-minute love-themed sermon that invoked quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. and scripture.

It has been the talk of the Internet because of how different it is from the usual stoic sermons heard at formal Royal religious ceremonies.

A 19-year old cellist with Sierra Leonean and Caribbean heritage from a large musical family, Sheku Kanneh-Mason beautifully performed a number of selection.

It was a preeminent event witnessed by thousands who lined the streets along the route to the chapel and the millions watching on Tv and screens across the globe.

Along with Markle’s brand new sister in law Pippa Middleton who is expecting her first child, also in attendance were new moms, Pippa’s sister Kate Middleton, Amal Clooney and Serena Williams with their respective spouses Best Man Prince William, George Clooney and Alexis Ohanian.

Vet Mom designer, tastemaker and Spice Girl alum Victoria Beckham and her hubby David Beckham were there too looking debonair and dapper. Oh Lady Oprah Winfrey attended along with the usual band of royals and British celebs!

Congrats!

Here are a few pics from the Getty Pool photographer:

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Serena Williams Says She Won’t Defend her Australian Open Title This Year

Posted on January 5, 2018

Serena Williams famously won the 2017 Australian Open while she was 9 weeks pregnant but on Thursday, the 23-tim Grand Slam champ said she won’t be defending her Australian Open title this year.

It has only been 5 months since she gave birth to her first child, daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. The newly wed to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian turned Snaphcat to share the news, stating in part:

“My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’. I can compete – but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time. With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year.

“The memory of last year’s Open is one that I will carry with me, and Olympia and I look forward to coming back again. I appreciate the support and understanding of my fans and everyone at the Australian Open.”

The tennis tournament begins on the 15th of this month.

The Australian Open tweeted best wishes shortly after her announcement, saying in part: “Good luck for the rest of 2018, Serena! We’ll miss you”

Unfortunately @serenawilliams has withdrawn from the #AusOpen.
“I can compete – but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time.”
Good luck for the rest of 2018, Serena! We’ll miss you ?
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 5, 2018

Williams had tried to push it by registering for a tournament last month but didn’t make it out the first round. She lost to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

“I don’t think I am going to rate my performance,” Williams said. “I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I’ve never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me.”

Williams struggled with her serve and Ostapenko won 6-2, 3-6 and then 10-5 in a super tiebreaker, but as US Open opined, she “still impressed to take a set off the No. 7-ranked Ostapenko after nearly a year away from tennis.”

She can do it and there is a track record for it!

The legendary Margaret Court won three majors after giving birth to her son in 1972. Kim Clijsters won three of her 4 Grand Slams after the birth of her child. Lindsay Davenport won 3 of her 55 Career titles after giving birth to her son. There are at least three other major female players to make mommy comebacks and silence all the critics and naysayers!

Too soon, ma, too soon!

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Serena Williams to Defend Australian Open Title As Baby Girl Cheers Her On

Posted on October 20, 2017

Serena Williams has announced that she plans to defend her Australian Open championship title in 2018.

In the meantime, she and fiancé Alexis Ohanian have been showing off photos of their 7-week old adorable daughter, Alexis Ohanian Jr. on Instagram.

“Say what,” the proud parents captioned an adorable chubby cheeked photo on Jr’s page.

The new dad also Instagrammed an image toting their tot.

“Mon petit chou,” he wrote.

Williams also recently surveyed her fans on IG stories asking them to share what they got as push presents.

Williams confirmed during a recent press event that she will play the Jan. 15-28 competition to defend her title at the Australian Open.

It should be expected.

During the TED 2017 Conference in Vancouver, Williams earlier this year, she told Gayle King, “I definitely plan on coming back. I’m not done yet. If [my sister Venus Williams is] still playing, I know I can play. This is just a new part of my life. My baby’s going to be in the stands and hopefully cheering for me.”

yay!! Can’t wait! Mamas do it too!

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