Serena Williams Wins First Title Since Becoming Mom: Has Won Titles Across 4 Decades
Serena Williams has won her first title since becoming a mom – and immediately donated her $43,000 prize money to Australian bushfire relief.
Williams lifted the trophy at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, after defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4.
Williams, who has now incredibly won titles across four decades after claiming her first in 1999, flung back her head in delight and relief after Pegula hit the ball wide on match point.
The 38-year-old had not previously won a set in any of the finals she had reached since the birth of baby Alexis Olympia in September 2017.
Since her comeback where she almost died giving birth, Williams has played some devastating tennis and reached finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in both 2018 and 2019.
Williams had a complicated birth and Alexis had to be delivered by emergency C-section.
Soon afterwards she was in distress after developing blood clots in her lungs, causing her to cough, which ruptured her cesarean scar.
She had to have life saving surgery and several weeks of bed rest, which delayed her return to training and to the game that has given her fame and fortune.
Williams now will prepare for the Australian Open, a tournament she has won seven times, which begins on 20 January where she is the bookmakers’ favourite to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record for major wins.
By Gerald Dandah
