Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Wimbledon isn't child's play for new mum Serena

Serena Williams admits she is still adjusting to the unique challenge of chasing an eighth Wimbledon title while making time for her baby daughter.

Williams is back at Wimbledon for the first time since giving birth to Alexis Olympia in September and the former world number one is having to get used to the increased demands on her time.


Few female players have succeeded at Grand Slam level after becoming mothers -- only Kim Clijsters did it recently at the US Open in 2009, while Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong Cawley also won majors after giving birth.

The joys of being a mum haven't dulled Serena's fierce competitive instincts and, aiming to add to her haul of 23 major titles, she started her latest Wimbledoncampaign with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Holland's Arantxa Rus on Monday.

But the 36-year-old conceded it isn't easy to come to terms with spending time away from her daughter to focus on tennis.

"It's hard. I realised at Roland Garros, if the days were long, I was playing singles and doubles there, that was hard because I felt guilty," she said.

"I was like, I haven't seen Olympia, like what am I doing. If it's the shorter days, now that I'm not playing doubles in this event, I have the day off, I think that will help.

"She definitely notices when I'm away. I'm there every day of her life. So she does get super excited when I come back in. You guys are making me miss her.

"I really don't like being away from her. I also think it's healthy in a way for me to do what I need to do, be that working mom, then go back home and be the mom."

- 'Good to be back' -

Having endured complications from her daughter's birth, Serena was playing only her second Grand Slam this year.

She won her first three matches at the French Open before pulling out due to a pectoral injury.

Since a 2014 third round loss to Alize Cornet, Serena has now won 15 successive matches at Wimbledon -- she took the title in 2015 and 2016 before missing last year's tournament due to her pregnancy.

Twenty years after making her Wimbledon debut, there were a few signs of rust against Rus and Serena was pleased to get her first Wimbledon match as a mother out of the way.

"I didn't think about that actually. But it felt good to play, just to be back on the grass. Two years, over a year. It definitely felt good," she said.

Williams is the second oldest player in the women's draw, but even motherhood can't persuade her to consider retiring when she sees Swiss star Roger Federer thriving at the same age.

"I'm just playing until Roger stops. Gosh, how long? Did he put a time limit on it?" she said.

"We in it. We in it together. As long as he's here, I'm going to try to be here."

For now, Serena hopes a deep run at Wimbledon will persuade her friend Meghan Markle to watch her in action.

Williams was a guest at her wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle in May and joined the new Duchess of Sussex to watch a polo match over the weekend.

Wimbledon is favourite event of the royal family and asked if Markle might be seen supporting her over the next fortnight, Serena smiled: "I don't know. We'll see. If I keep winning!"

More For You

Raducanu Shines in Dominant Start to Wimbledon 2025 Campaign

Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines

Getty Images

Raducanu begins Wimbledon campaign with confident win

Key points

  • Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
  • Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
  • Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
  • Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
  • She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.

  • The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    chennai-rpl

    Kennedy scored two tries in Chennai’s 41-0 win over Delhi Redz in the final of the six-team rugby sevens franchise league held in Mumbai. (Photo credit: Rugby Premier League)

    Rugby Premier League

    Chennai win first Rugby Premier League title as Sevens debuts in India

    IRELAND Sevens international Terry Kennedy played a key role in helping Chennai Bulls secure the first Rugby Premier League (RPL) title in India on Sunday, as the new format marked its arrival in a country known for its focus on cricket.

    Kennedy scored two tries in Chennai’s 41-0 win over Delhi Redz in the final of the six-team rugby sevens franchise league held in Mumbai.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Mahima Sharma cricket

    In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach

    wclegends.uk

    Mahima Sharma brings bold new energy to cricket’s old guard

    As the world prepares for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), one of its most exciting franchises, the Meteora England Champions, is being led by a compelling force. Mahima Sharma is not just making her mark in cricket – she is quietly redefining leadership in a male-dominated industry.

    In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach. She is strategic, deeply rooted in her love for the game, and proudly feminine. “Cricket has always felt like home to me,” she says. “I come from a culture where cricket is an emotion, and stepping into this role carries a great deal of responsibility. Growing up, I saw very few women leaders in cricket. To now find myself in this position 15 years later feels like coming full circle.”

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Azhar Mahmood

    Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    Azhar Mahmood named interim red-ball head coach of Pakistan

    PAKISTAN on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the men’s Test team. He is the fourth person to hold the position in the past 18 months.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 50-year-old will remain in the role until January.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    India vs England: Gambhir faces growing pressure ahead of second Test

    Indian cricket head coach Gautam Gambhir. (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)

    India vs England: Gambhir faces growing pressure ahead of second Test

    GAUTAM GAMBHIR is under growing pressure ahead of the second Test against England after India's loss at Headingley made it seven defeats in 11 red-ball matches since he became coach last year.

    The 43-year-old former opening batsman is facing flak from some quarters for his selections, man management and how he carries himself in press conferences.

    Keep ReadingShow less