Serena Williams wins at Wimbledon for first time as a mom

World
Europe

Serena Williams has returned to Wimbledon for the first time since becoming a mom.

The American, who missed last year’s tournament while pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia, proved she had lost none of her old warrior skills as she overcame gusting winds and a tumble on Court One’s manicured lawn to outclass tricky opponent Arantxa Rus 7-5 6-3 in the first round.

"It's a great feeling to be back, it's been a couple of years since I played on grass, so it is difficult trying to find the rhythm."

“I have such high expectations of myself,” said Williams, whose 23 Grand Slam singles championships include seven at Wimbledon, so she was seeded 25th even though her ranking following her extended absence is 181. “I don’t go out there expecting to ‘do well’ or ‘see what happens.' That’s just not me.”

Apart from adjusting to her role “as a working mom,” the seven-time champion also had to get used to hearing something “new” as she was addressed as “Mrs Williams” for the first time at the grass court major following her marriage to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian last year. The 36-year-old is bidding for her eighth Wimbledon title.

(With inputs from agency)