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Serena Williams suffering with ‘post-partum emotions’: former world No 1 reveals issues on Instagram after Rogers Cup withdrawal

The 36-year-old American is seeking to regain her top form after missing most of the 2017 season due to a pregnancy

PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 07 August, 2018, 11:25am

UPDATED : Tuesday, 07 August, 2018, 12:15pm

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Former world number one Serena Williams has revealed she is suffering with emotional issues following the birth of her daughter. Photo: AFP

Agence France-Presse

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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Serena Williams says she is suffering from “post-partum emotions” as the 23-time grand slam winner struggles to deal with juggling family life and tennis.

The 36-year-old American is seeking to regain her top form after missing most of the 2017 WTA season due to a pregnancy.

“I read several articles that said post-partum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with,” Williams said on Monday.

Last week was not easy for me. 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. I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal. 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 her 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!

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 6, 2018 at 3:24pm PDT

Williams’ disclosure comes a week after she suffered the worst loss of her career in San Jose, losing the final 12 games in a shocking 6-1, 6-0 first-round upset to unseeded Johanna Konta.

On Monday, she described her mindset at the time as being in a “funk”.

“Last week was not easy for me. 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,” Williams wrote on her social media Instagram account.

Williams said she is trying to work through her despair by sharing her feelings with family and friends.

“Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal. It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby ... Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art,” she said.

World No 1 Simona Halep shows practice makes perfect by beating training partner Wang Qiang to reach Indian Wells quarter-finals Serena Williams suffered the worst defeat of her career last week against Johanna Konta. Photo: AFP

Organisers announced on Saturday that Williams was withdrawing from this week’s WTA Montreal tournament citing “personal reasons”.

Williams battled back from life-saving surgery after giving birth to daughter Olympia in September, reaching the final at Wimbledon, where she was beaten by Germany’s Angelique Kerber.

Williams had a tough draw in Montreal. Her opening match would have been against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet who has defeated Williams four out of the six times they have faced each other.

If she advanced past Cornet, her next opponent would have been Kerber.

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