Serena gives birth to a baby girl, tennis world says ‘new star’ born
FLORIDA: Tennis superstar Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl on Friday, US media reported, prompting an outpouring of delight from fellow professionals, celebrities and fans of the sporting icon. Williams, who will turn 36 later this month, was admitted to the St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on Wednesday before going into labor overnight.
There was no immediate confirmation of the birth from Williams’ representatives.
Elder sister Venus Williams described herself as “super-excited” after being informed of the reports concerning the baby as she walked on to the court for her third-round match at the US Open in New York.
However she declined to take questions on the subject in her post-match press conference.
“I’m definitely available to answer questions about tennis. That’s all right now,” Venus told reporters. Earlier, a producer with the Florida-based WPBF television station cited hospital sources as saying Williams’ daughter weighed in at six pounds and 13 ounces (3.09 kilograms). Celebrity magazine US Weekly cited an unnamed source close to the tennis star confirming the birth. Williams, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, was swiftly greeted with an avalanche of congratulations from well-wishers.
Pop diva Beyonce took to Instagram to send her message, posting a portrait of a pregnant Williams in a flowing white gown. Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou added on Twitter US tennis legend Chris Evert meanwhile chimed: “I’m so thrilled for her. And what a role model she’s going to be for her daughter.”
Media reports said 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena -- who revealed she was pregnant in April -- was induced overnight Thursday. Other fans meanwhile wasted no time in anointing the tennis star’s daughter as a future champion.
“Hello to the future queen of tennis,” one post on Twitter read. “A future champion is born,” added another.
‘OUTRAGEOUS’ GOAL Williams has vowed to return to competitive tennis in January to defend her Australian Open title, which she won while newly pregnant. Williams last month told Vogue in a wide-ranging interview that she had set herself a goal of returning to play in Melbourne at next year’s Open.