Serena Williams reveals she's suffering 'postpartum emotions' after having first baby 11 months ago as she assures mums 'it's totally normal'

The tennis pro shared a heartfelt post on Instagram last night as she told her 28.4million followers: "Last week was not easy for me. I felt like I was not a good mom."

She said that she was "in a funk" and hinted that it may have been a factor in her historic loss at San Jose's Silicon Valley Classic on July 31.

The 36-year-old athlete, whose daughter is named after her husband Alexis, posted a picture of herself at the top of a cliff during sunset on Monday.

She said: "Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.

"I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with. I like communication best.


"Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.

"It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby.

"We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be.

"However, that means although I have been with her every day of her life, I’m not around as much as I would like to be.

"Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes.

"I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week–it’s ok–I am, too!!! There’s always tomm! (sic)".

Serena has previously opened up about her emotions following the birth of her daughter.

In July, while in the middle of training for Wimbledon, Alexis took her first steps.


The tennis star revealed the happy news on Twitter, but said: "I was training and missed it” adding that she “cried” after she was told.

Later that month during a press conference in London, Serena revealed she had stopped nursing her daughter after six months.

She said she “felt good about” making it to six months of nursing, and after that, it was more about “emotionally letting go” of the experience.

Serena said: “I literally sat Olympia in my arms and I talked to her and we prayed about it.

“And I told her, ‘Look, I’m gonna stop. Mommy has to do this.’ I cried a little bit — not as much as I thought I [would]. And she was fine.”

Serena also found herself putting on weight while breastfeeding her daughter.

It was only once she stopped nursing her baby Alexis that she "lost ten pounds in a week" and then "just kept dropping."

Serena went into labour on September 1, 2017, and gave birth the same day – having cleared the entire hospital floor so she could welcome her first child in total privacy.

A fortnight later, the tennis ace revealed she and her partner Alexis Ohanian had named her Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, after her father.


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