- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Tennis superstar Serena Williams has appeared to reveal she is pregnant, posting a photo of herself in a bathing suit on Snapchat with the caption “20 weeks.”
The 35-year-old, who will return to the No.1 ranking in the world next week, later deleted the photo on Wednesday. Neither Williams nor her management team were immediately available for comment.
If Williams is indeed 20 weeks into her term, that would mean she was approximately two months pregnant when she captured her record 23rd Grand Slam tournament title at the Australian Open in January.
Her victory over older sister Venus broke a tie with Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam singles championships in the sport’s modern era. Serena Williams has not played since, citing a knee injury.
Fans reacted with a mixture of awe and glee at the news.
“Serena Williams was pregnant when she won her 23rd grand slam tournament at the Australian Open. And did not drop ONE SET. Let that sink in,” wrote Twitter user @noelleharmony on the social media site.
Williams, the highest-paid female athlete in the world, announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December.
Other women have left the tour to have children and returned at a high level, though none has done so at Williams’ age. Belgian former world No.1 Kim Clijsters retired and had a child before coming back at age 26 and winning three grand slam titles as a mother.
Australians Evonne Goolagong and Margaret Court also won grand slam titles after having children.
Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, 27, missed most of the 2016 season to have a baby and is expected to return to the tour this summer.
Williams, who has played professionally for two decades, first gained the No. 1 ranking in 2002 and has held that spot for more than six years in total during her career. At an age when most tennis professionals have already retired, Williams still dominates the women’s tour.
Sister Venus, 36, has won seven grand slam singles titles.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.