Serena Williams Covers Vogue, Talks Plans For Baby No. 2 After Retirement From Tennis

In an essay for the September 2022 problem of Vogue — of which she graces the quilt alongside her 4-year-old daughter Olympia — the skilled athlete shared she and her husband Alexis Ohanian “have been attempting” for child no. 2.

Nevertheless, Serena — who defined her determination to “transfer on from enjoying tennis” someday after the U.S. Open within the essay — burdened that she does not wish to be pregnant whereas she’s nonetheless on the court docket.

“Within the final yr, Alexis and I’ve been attempting to have one other youngster, and we just lately obtained some data from my physician that put my thoughts relaxed and made me really feel that every time we’re prepared, we are able to add to our household,” defined Serena, 40. “I positively do not wish to be pregnant once more as an athlete. I should be two toes into tennis or two toes out.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion additionally opened up about balancing enjoying tennis and having a household, noting that she does not consider it is “truthful” for ladies in sports activities, equivalent to herself, to usually have to decide on.

“Imagine me, I by no means wished to have to decide on between tennis and a household,” she wrote. “I do not suppose it is truthful. If I had been a man, I would not be scripting this as a result of I would be on the market enjoying and successful whereas my spouse was doing the bodily labor of increasing our household. Possibly I would be extra of a Tom Brady if I had that chance.”

“Do not get me mistaken: I really like being a girl, and I cherished each second of being pregnant with Olympia. I used to be a kind of annoying ladies who adored being pregnant and was working till the day I needed to report back to the hospital — though issues obtained tremendous difficult on the opposite aspect,” continued Serena, who had a pulmonary embolism after delivering Olympia via emergency C-section in 2017.

She added, “And I virtually did do the unattainable: Lots of people do not realize that I used to be two months pregnant once I received the Australian Open in 2017. However I am turning 41 this month, and one thing’s obtained to provide.”

In the meantime, additionally in her essay, the tennis professional admitted that “earlier” in her profession, she did not take into consideration being a mom.

“There have been occasions once I’ve questioned if I ought to ever carry children into this world, with all its issues,” she wrote. “I used to be by no means that assured or comfy round infants or kids, and I figured that if I ever did have a child, I might have folks caring for it 24/7. I’m not going to lie—I positively have numerous help.”

Serena added that she’s a “extremely hands-on mom,” joking that Alexis would say she’s “too hands-on.” She continued by talking extra about motherhood and her love for her daughter.

“In 5 years, Olympia has solely spent one 24-hour interval away from me,” Serena shared. “This previous yr, whereas I used to be recovering from a hamstring harm, I obtained to select her up from college 4 or 5 days per week, and I at all times appeared ahead to seeing her face mild up when she walked out of the constructing and noticed me ready there for her.”

“The actual fact is that nothing is a sacrifice for me on the subject of Olympia.”

Click on right here to learn extra from Serena’s essay, together with what led her determination to retire, her ideas on her legacy and what she loves most about tennis.

The September 2022 problem of Vogue hits newsstands August 16.