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Serena Williams Says 'Postpartum Emotions' Playing Role in Recent Struggles

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Serena Williams says she’s been struggling with postpartum emotions and wants other new moms to know they are “totally normal.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion suffered the most lopsided defeat of her career, a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Johanna Konta, in San Jose, California, last Tuesday.

She then withdrew from this week’s Rogers Cup in Montreal, citing personal reasons.

“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 said in an Instagram post on Monday.

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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

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Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November 2017.

She gave birth to their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, on Sept. 1, 2017.

Williams ultimately needed a cesarean-section delivery due to health complications. She had to deal with both blood clots in the lung and a pulmonary embolism.

“I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with,” she wrote on Instagram. “I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.”

Do you think Williams' recent struggles are due to postpartum emotions?

The 36-year-old Williams was the runner-up at Wimbledon last month.

That was just her fourth tournament since returning to the tour after having a baby.

“It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby,” she added.

Williams also cited some of the struggles she was having with balancing her hectic career and being a mother.

“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,” said Williams.

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Williams also took time to commend mothers everywhere, and called them all “the true heroes.”

She then finished her Instagram post with a message of positivity.

“(If) you are having a rough day or week — it’s ok — I am, too!!! There’s always (tomorrow)!”

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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