Serena Williams' Rawest, Most Emotional (and Adorable) Motherhood Confessions

The tennis great and mom to 3-year-old Alexis Olympia doesn't hold anything back — and we love her for that

By Kate Hogan
February 24, 2020 10:54 AM

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Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

"The last 2 years have been my greatest accomplishment."

— on Instagram in 2019

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Credit: Serena Williams Instagram

“When I tell her she’s beautiful, I want to teach her that she’s beautiful from the inside. Giving is beauty. Being kind and humble is the ultimate beauty.”

— to Allure

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"She keeps me going especially during tournaments. Although the popcorn machine has her attention here, I know she's watching and learning to see how I persevere in challenging and rewarding moments."

— on Instagram

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"In the beginning she would really be upset when I left. And now she's a little bit better. I think I'm a little more upset. But at the same time, she definitely still takes it a little hard. She's still super young.

"You know, it's hard. Sometimes my heart literally aches when I'm not around her. But, you know, it's good for me, I guess, to keep working and just to all moms out there that it's not easy. It's really kind of painful sometimes. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do."

— to Forbes

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"In tournament schedule, it's totally different, so I'm kind of pushed out of my usual day-to-day life. Oh, my God, I'm not with her. That's been the most, I mean, the toughest thing I have ever dealt with in my career."

— to Forbes

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

“After I came out [of the hospital], I had a stomach, but I thought, This is kind of cool. I have a stomach because the baby was there.”

— to Allure

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Credit: Alex Ohanian/Instagram

"I’m going to go to sleep now cause the sooner I go to sleep the sooner I get to wake up and see @OlympiaOhanian night everyone"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Alexis Ohanian/Instagram

"#Thismama eats with her left hand and feeds Olympia with my right. I usually finish my food in 4.7 seconds but somehow I end up just as dirty as my daughter. I’m still trying to master this."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"Kids humble us. The other day on a flight home Olympia insisted on running up and down the aisle and when I finally got her to sit still, she threw up all over me."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Willaims/Instagram. Inset: Jacopo Raule/Getty

"Today was particularly difficult having to leave @OlympiaOhanian today to go to work. I guess some days are harder than others. Yea?"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Twitter

"I just put Olympia @OlympiaOhanian to sleep but I can’t seem to put her in bed I’m loving holding her in my arms. I want to milk every second!!!"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Snapchat

"Today I say Olympia fall... but she got back up. She fell again almost immediately.... and almost immediately she got back up again. She always had a smile on her face. I learned a lot from Olympia today."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

"319 days since I gave birth to this amazing baby @OlympiaOhanian I’ve spent 319 of those days with her. I’m so fortunate."

— on Twitter

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"These past 2 weeks was a sound for all moms stay home and working you can do it you really can! I’m not any better or diff than any of you all. Your support has ment so much to me. Let’s keep making noise everyday in everything we do."

— on Twitter, following her Wimbledon defeat

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Credit: Alexis Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

"Goodnight world.... yes it’s 8:39pm and I’m going to bed. Because when I wake I’ll have a beautiful smart strong sure baby next to me."

— on Twitter

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"Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy—here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!!"

— on Twitter

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"I just put Olympia to sleep.... and I am already looking at pictures of her missing her."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram; John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty Images for WTA

"Last night after bath time with Olympia I had to put on her PJ’s We wrestled for 20 mins. She was flipping like a fish fresh out of water. If this was a Olympic sport she would have gotten the Gold and me I would not even place. There’s got to be an easier way."

— on Twitter

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"I talk about the struggles all of us moms feel. It’s is so important to spread the knowledge."

— on Instagram

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"She never quits. And I mean NEVER quits. I love it"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"Every day is my favorite moment"

— on Twitter

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"I just bathed her and put her I bed. Now I feel lonely and like crying cause I miss her so much. When does that go away? I can’t wait until morning."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"Fellow moms: How long did you breastfeed? Is it weird that I get emotional when I even just think about when it's time to stop?"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"Oh gosh. I'm one of those. I just said my baby's "poop don't stink" … proud mom"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Snapchat

"I hate to throw my daughter under the bus... but she farts really really really loud"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

"At @brunomars concert thinking about Alexis Olympia arghhhh. I love her so much."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

“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 my 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!”

— on Instagram

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Credit: Mike Pont/WireImage

“I think people need to talk about [postpartum depression] more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy. I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying … because I wanted to be perfect for her … I hope I am [a role model], and I’m going to strive to be the best mom I can be."

— to Harper's Bazaar UK

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Credit: Alexis Ohanian/Instagram. Inset: Karwai Tang/WireImage

"Omg Alexis Olympia is snoring. Omg I can't take it it's so cute. Totally perfect small snore."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Alexis Ohanian/Instagram

"I do love Alexis Sr. @alexisohanian but if he buys one more outfit or toy for Olympia @OlympiaOhanian I'm going to explode"

— on Twitter

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Credit: Serena Williams/Instagram

"With the help of God She's the best thing I have ever been apart of."

— on Twitter

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"Today I bought my first bag of diapers. I felt so grown picking out the bag. I may have even looked around hoping someone saw me."

— on Twitter

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Credit: Olympia Ohanian/Instagram

"We were watching football together but she got tired and had to take a nap. I miss her. Can't wait till naptime is over."

— on Instagram

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Credit: Serena Williams/Snapchat

"3:30 in the morning. Not a soul in site. I'm just waiting on Olympia to wake up so I can give her kisses on this fall night"

— on Twitter

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