Serena Williams says winning Wimbledon doesn’t compare to being a classroom mom
When people think of the best tennis player of all time, there’s a good chance most of them think of Serena Williams. But while Williams is one of the most decorated players ever to take to the court, none of those accolades compare to her most recent title: Mom.
In a new interview with Byrdie, the retired pro and mom of two was asked what has brought her the most happiness in life, and she didn’t hesitate before answering, “My kids.”
“I can’t say that a Wimbledon trophy holds a candle to volunteering at my kid’s school,” she added.
Williams is a mom to two daughters, 6-year-old Olympia and 8-month-old Adira, whom she shares with her husband Alexis Ohanian.
In the interview, Williams, who has launched a beauty brand since retiring from tennis, said she hopes her career can inspire her daughters. But she also hopes they can see how much more there is to her life than her sport.
“I want my daughters to look at my career and learn that being authentic to themselves is really the most important thing,” she said. “I also hope my daughters see how many different passions I have — from tennis to beauty — and learn that they can lead dynamic careers and lives across their many interests.”
That’s the kind of thing you love to see. It sounds like Williams is finding her passion after retiring from tennis — and that motherhood is suiting her just fine.
And speaking of which, as she navigates becoming a mom of two, she’s been sharing the journey on social media, which we love to see. Recently, she shared an inspiring post honoring her postpartum body. In the photo, she posed in a swimsuit while holding Adira.
“Loving yourself is essential,” she wrote in the caption. “I find that I have to remind myself of that self-love through all different stages in my life. Right now I love that my body is not picture perfect.”
She continued, “I love that I smell like milk – that milk sustains @adiraohanian. I love getting to know a new version of my body. It is a change, but it’s a change that has been well worth it. So start this week, knowing that you are loved, and that starts with you.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.