In an intimate conversation with Anna Wintour, the Grand Slam champion shares her thoughts on the challenges of being a working mom and why women need to be recognized.
- Feb 13, 2020
AceShowbiz - Serena Williams has explained how her perspective of the meaning of hero has changed since she's become a mother to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. The tennis ace talked about the challenges of being a working mom during an intimate conversation with Anna Wintour at the New York Fashion Week for her clothing line S by Serena on Tuesday morning, February 11.
"My heroes have changed…after having a child, my heroes are moms because women are superheroes," Williams said when asked by Wintour whom her heroes are. The 38-year-old athlete went on noting how hard it would be for mothers who work 8 hours per day. "To have a baby and to have to go to work two or three weeks later, or even to go to work from 9 to 5," she stressed, adding that she feels "really fortunate" for not having to do that due to the nature of her jobs.
For this reason, Williams respects working moms who have to provide for their families and leave their children at home, which could be tough for some people. "I'm at a loss for words when I think of women who work day in and day out, providing for their families, when I know how hard it is for me to leave my daughter. I never felt that way until I became a mom. I think women need to be recognized," she added.
During the interview, Williams was also asked about her reaction to being called "heroes" by actress Renee Zellweger at the 2020 Academy Awards. "I was so moved by what Renee said," she shared. "First of all, I was shocked. I was like, 'Wait, did I just hear that?' I was like, 'Oh my God. I am kind of at the Oscars right now.' I'm wearing something really nice, too. But I was in my pj's," she went on recalling.
Williams took a break from competing in tennis tournament when she became pregnant with her first child with her husband Alexis Ohanian in 2017. After welcoming their daughter in September, she resumed her career in December of the same year by participating in an exhibition match at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
