The last time Serena Williams won a singles tournament was in January 2017. Seven months later, she became a mom for the first time. And now, she’s back on top.
On January 12, the tennis icon won the ASB Classic after beating fellow American Jessica Pegula in the final match of the tournament.
This is Williams’s first singles win in two years, and her first since becoming a mom for the first time. In January 2017, the mom of one was just weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open for the seventh time.
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Serena Williams Wins First Tournament Since Becoming a Mom
Then, on September 1, 2017, Williams and her now-husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian Sr. welcomed their first child into the world. Their baby girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. is now two years old.
And on January 12, Olympia got to cheer for her mom as she won the ASB Classic and proceeded to donate all of her prize money to those battling and affected by the Australian brushfires.
Williams said after the win she’s been waiting for for two years, “It feels good. It’s been a long time. I think you can see the relief on my face. I played an incredible opponent today in Jessica and, honestly, it was a great match and I couldn’t have played anyone better in the final.”
She went on to also thank her husband and daughter for sticking by her during these last 24 months as she worked to climb her way back to the top. “It’s so fun. She’s so fun,” the proud mom said of her daughter. “I’m a little bias but she’s so cute.”
“[And to] my husband, Alexis, for being…dealing with my awful attitude. It’s a lot, I’m a lot.” Shortly after winning the ASB Classic, Alexis took to Instagram to further recognize all of his wife’s hard work and dedication to her sport.
“What a start to the decade, Serena Williams. We’re all so proud of you. And just when I think I can’t possibly be more proud, you donate all your prize money to fight the Australian bushfires.”
And Williams’s coach, Patrick Mourtaoglou, shared a similar sentiment. “Of course [I’m] happy about winning this title but more than anything proud of Serena Williams for her hustle and fight.”
He continued, “In the video, she shows how much she wants it and how hard she is prepared to fight for it. 38 years old, being a mother, 23 Majors, and still showing that passion and dedication for the game is unique. This explains why Serena is Serena.”
And while Williams didn’t say much on social media, the pictures she posted are worth a thousand words. First, she shared a photo of herself and her trophy on the court:
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Then she shared a video of herself doing a cartwheel after the big win.
Williams’s next tournament will also take place in Australia this month. If she wins the Australian Open, it will be her eighth time and her 74th win overall.