Serena admits postnatal depression battle

Serena Williams has said she once cried because she could not find her baby’s bottle as she spoke candidly about coping with postnatal depression.

The tennis star gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September last year with husband Alexis Ohanian, and she has previously told of the life-threatening health complications that arose during the birth.

Among them, Williams was forced to undergo an emergency caesarean, and also had surgery for blood clots in her lungs.

The seven-times Wimbledon champion, 36, told Harper’s Bazaar UK: “Honestly, sometimes I think I still have to deal with it.

“I think people have to talk about it more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy.

“I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying... because I wanted to be perfect for her.”

But Williams, who married Reddit co-founder Ohanian in mid-november, said she is keen to have another child soon.

“If I wasn’t playing tennis, I’d be pregnant right now – sorry, I’m one of those women,” she told the magazine. “I’ve been injured so many times, and played on it, my body is used to adjusting.”

Williams, who was one of the guests at the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex earlier this month, returned to the tennis court for her first Grand Slam appearance this week at the French Open, and will also play at Wimbledon in July.

She added: “Olympia needs a little sister, and then we can have a boy. I’ve only been around girls my whole life.”

Serena Williams is back playing.