‘Couldn’t Walk Down the Driveway’ – Serena Williams Reveals How a Scary Surgery Turned a Tough ‘King’ Richard Into a Doting Father

Over the past 27 years, Serena Williams was a name synonymous with tennis. She was truly a notch above anyone who played in her era. Having played in three different decades, Serena played many hard matches. However, the way she dealt with her body to remain fit after multiple surgeries is truly commendable.

Back in 2017, when Serena gave birth to her daughter Olympia, she was in a critical condition. After going through multiple surgeries, she finally returned home with her daughter. The legend later recalled how her family firmly stood behind her in this challenging situation.

Serena recalls her tough times after childbirth

Serena Williams recently opened up about the challenges she went through at the time of her daughter’s birth. “In the span of seven days, I had gone through four surgeries back-to-back, including my C-section. My body, my entire being, was just so tired at that point. When I first got home, I couldn’t walk down the driveway,” she said.

Further, she recalled her father’s gesture to cheer her up after going through a tough week. “When I finally made it to a tree halfway down the driveway, it was a big hurdle for me. Everyone in my family cheered me on, telling me, ‘You’re doing so good!’ They must’ve been aching on the inside, but they still all acted like nothing was wrong. My dad was so encouraging, saying, ‘Look, you did it!’ She added.

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Serena concluded by saying, “I’m glad they didn’t let me see how bad it really was.”

When a pregnant Serena Williams won the Australian Open

Serena Williams was all set to play in the Australian Open 2017. It was only after landing on the land down under that she got to know about her pregnancy. While the legend could have opted out of the tournament, she decided to play.

With the condition, she was way less energetic and needed extraordinary efforts to pull off something special. However, what followed was nothing short of a miracle. Serena not only won the title, but she also did it without dropping a set. In her incredible run, she lifted her 23rd Grand Slam title after defeating her elder sister Venus Williams in the final.

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Serena has left behind a rich legacy, one that will be remembered for the grit and perseverance of a champion athlete.