Serena Williams has often reflected on her 2017 Australian Open triumph as the pinnacle of her legendary tennis career. What made this Grand Slam victory especially remarkable was that she accomplished it while being about eight weeks pregnant with her daughter, Olympia. Defeating her sister Venus Williams in straight sets, 6–4, 6–4, Serena clinched her 23rd Grand Slam singles title—surpassing Steffi Graf’s Open Era record and placing her one major shy of Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.
At the time, few knew that Serena was carrying a child, and she later revealed that she had only found out about her pregnancy two days before the tournament began. Despite the surprising news, she was determined to compete. Serena explained that she chose to keep the pregnancy private because she didn’t want the extra attention or emotional distractions. Her mindset was focused solely on winning. “I didn’t have time for extra emotions, or anything else,” she said. “Pregnant or not, no one knew, and I had a job to do.”
Throughout the Australian Open, Serena demonstrated dominance on the court, not dropping a single set during the entire tournament. Her unwavering focus and mental toughness were clear to anyone watching, but behind the scenes, the emotional and physical demands were immense. Although she faced her sister Venus in the final—someone she deeply respects and loves—Serena was fully committed to securing the title.
Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, later gave insights into her thought process during that tournament. He suggested that Serena’s remarkable form and refusal to lose a set may have been influenced by her desire to minimize time spent on court for the safety of her pregnancy. “She didn’t drop a single set in that tournament, and I think deep down she was just trying to get off the court as fast as possible,” he said.
Years later, Serena shared the story with her daughter Olympia, who was fascinated to learn that she was technically part of that historic moment. “I told her recently that she was in my belly when I won a really big tournament,” Serena recalled. “She was so surprised.”
The 2017 Australian Open marked a turning point not just in Serena’s tennis journey but also in the narrative of what elite athletes—particularly women—are capable of achieving. Competing while pregnant is rare in professional sports, let alone winning a prestigious tournament at that level. Serena’s accomplishment highlighted the mental and physical endurance required to maintain peak performance while navigating early pregnancy, an experience that many women can relate to but few have faced in such a public arena.
Beyond the physical demands, Serena had to deal with the psychological pressure of keeping such a personal secret while in the global spotlight. She has often talked about how isolating it felt at times, especially since she chose not to tell even her opponents or tournament officials. Yet, she felt confident in her body and trusted her instincts, both as an athlete and as a soon-to-be mother.
Serena’s Australian Open victory resonated far beyond the tennis world. It became symbolic of resilience, strength, and determination—not just as an athlete but also as a woman embracing motherhood. The win reaffirmed her ability to balance two demanding roles simultaneously and helped redefine what women can achieve in sports, particularly during pivotal moments in their lives.
The months following the win brought more challenges, including a difficult childbirth that resulted in life-threatening complications. Serena underwent an emergency C-section and dealt with blood clots that required multiple surgeries and a long recovery period. These post-pregnancy struggles only added to the significance of what she accomplished in Melbourne earlier that year. Her story became an inspiration for athletes and mothers alike, emphasizing the importance of physical health, mental strength, and perseverance.
To this day, Serena Williams regards that victory in Australia as perhaps her most meaningful achievement. “I don’t know how I did it,” she has admitted in interviews. The moment captures not just a peak in her professional tennis career but also a defining chapter in her personal life, showcasing her as both a champion and a trailblazer for future generations.
