I always believed Serena Williams could confidently wear a catsuit—or even a tutu, as she did recently at the U.S. Open. And I was never uncertain about her ability to secure another Grand Slam title, especially within a year of becoming a mother. She’s a star athlete with a singular focus: winning.
Perhaps this is why, in past years, I hadn’t considered how Serena might be just like me. However, as she’s shared her journey through pregnancy, her challenging birth experience, and the rawness of motherhood, many of us have begun to relate to her more deeply. Right before her return to the U.S. Open, I had the chance to sit down with her on Today to discuss her Grand Slam ambitions, her response to critics, and how she navigates “mom guilt” with the support of millions on social media.
Tell me about your year.
Williams: It’s been a remarkable year. Becoming a mother and then returning to tennis has been incredible—especially knowing Olympia will turn one soon. I may even be playing on that day, thinking back to my time in the hospital, giving birth. This year has been so special, and I’m thrilled to be back competing. It’s going to be wonderful.
Do you feel happy?
Williams: I feel a new kind of happiness. I’ve always been a positive person, but now my joy is entirely different. I feel light—lighter and happier than ever. It’s an amazing feeling.
You’re back in New York, and people are calling it a comeback. You even humorously borrowed L.L. Cool J’s line, “Don’t call it a comeback.” Why?
Williams: Well, I was away, so if you look at it that way, it is a comeback. But mentally, I never really left. I stayed connected, always watching and feeling part of the sport. I never considered retiring my racket at that time. So now, I’m just back, still competing, still aiming for Grand Slams—and now I have my daughter alongside me.
Do you think this reflects society’s double standards for women? I imagine when your husband returned to work after Olympia’s birth, no one called it his comeback tour.
Williams: Exactly. No one labeled it a comeback when he went back, and he also took time off. Women definitely face double standards in so many ways.
That’s my mission now—advocating to dismantle these double standards we encounter every day. I want people to understand that women are here to stay and deserve the same respect as men.
Does winning feel more important to you as a mother?
Williams: It’s hard to say. I want to win, whether I’m a mom or not. Of course, winning with Olympia here is meaningful. One day, I’ll be able to tell her that I kept winning after she was born. But honestly, I don’t have to win another match in my career to feel fulfilled. I’ve achieved so much already, and now, I just want to enjoy being out there. Ironically, that’s when I started playing some of my best tennis.
