Serena Williams opens up about 'postpartum emotions' in candid Instagram post
Serena Williams has opened up about the emotional impact of motherhood in a candid Instagram post.
Williams began by referring to last week's match against Johanna Konta at the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, U.S., in which she had the worst defeat of her career.
"Last week was not easy for me," wrote Williams. "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."
She wrote that she was coping with "postpartum emotions" by talking things through with her mom, sisters, and friends, who let her know that what she's feeling is normal.
"I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with," wrote Williams.
"It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby," she added.
"We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be," wrote Williams.
But, she caveated that she is struggling with the fact that she is not spending as much time with her daughter as she would like.
"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," wrote Williams. "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."
Williams also shared a message for other mums who are going through the same thing.
"I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week — it’s ok — I am, too!!! There’s always tomm!"
Hear, hear!
Topics Family & Parenting
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
