Serena Williams criticised for saying giving birth will make her a 'real woman'

Grand Slam champion admits she is worried about impact of motherhood on her tennis

Gabriel Samuels
Thursday 10 August 2017 17:44 BST
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Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams announced they were expecting their first child in April
Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams announced they were expecting their first child in April

Serena Williams has been criticised after she claimed she will become a “real woman” when she gives birth to her first child.

The 39-time singles, doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam tennis champion is expected to give birth to her child with fiancé Alexis Ohanian early next month. The couple announced Williams, 35, was pregnant in a Snapchat post in April.

In an interview with Australia’s Herald Sun, Williams admitted that, while she was nervous about the impact motherhood might have on her tennis, she felt the whole experience would give her “a lot more confidence” in life.

“I think [giving birth] will give me more strength, if that’s possible,” she told the newspaper. “I feel like I will be ready for anything. I have so much respect for so many women [for giving birth].

“I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It’s going to be something incredibly impressive to go through.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Williams said she plans to breastfeed her baby - “I like to do things natural” - and intends to give the child “a strong spiritual background”.

Williams also said she “definitely” defined herself as a feminist who likes “to stick up for women and women’s rights”. “I am proud to be one,” she added.

Her comments were criticised by Twitter users, who accused her of “setting women back 50 years” and disrespecting women who either did not want, or were unable to have, children.

Serena Williams challenges two strangers to a match

“‘Real women’ don't elevate themselves above others based on reproductive choices and capacity,” one wrote.

At the start of August, Williams was roundly praised for writing an essay calling for equal pay for black women.

Williams intends to take the rest of the year off from competitive tennis. She will return to action at the Australian Open in January, hoping to pick up her eighth singles crown at the tournament.

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