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Serena Williams posts first baby pics, reveals ‘complications’

Serena Williams cuddles newborn Alexis in September.

Serena Williams cuddles newborn Alexis in September. Photo: Instagram

Tennis superstar Serena Williams has released the first images of her newborn baby daughter Alexis, while revealing complications with the birth could rule her out of an Australian Open comeback .

The 23-time grand slam singles champion gave birth to her first child on September 1.

Williams and fiance Alexis Ohanian have named their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

A picture on William’s Instagram page overnight shows her cradling baby Alexis, while the couple also shared a video of her nine month pregnancy journey.

Serena Williams and Alexis Jr

Alexis Jr was born on September 1. Photo: YouTube/Serena Williams.

Beginning with Williams finding out she was pregnant, the video titled Hello World includes the 36-year-old winning her most recent grand slam title at the Australian Open while expecting.

It finishes with Williams leaving the hospital after six days and an announcement of the baby’s name, date of birth, weight (6lb 14 oz), and number of grand slam titles (one).

Williams revealed there were “a lot of complications”, which could potentially affect her hopes of returning to the tour in time to defend her Australian Open title in January.

The former world No.1 trained through her pregnancy and has her sights set on overtaking Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 slam singles titles.

“She says she still has things to achieve in tennis. She is both a tennis player and a mother, and she has to deal with both of them. She wants to be able to win slams otherwise she will stop,” Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou told Eurosport last week.

“Because she is a champion, it is very difficult when you are used to being at the top of the game to accept being more average, with all the respect I have for the players. That is the great challenge for the next months, year and maybe years. We will see.

“For Serena, anything is possible. I cannot put any kind of limit on her. Any time I’ve thought she won’t make it, she did. Which I don’t do any more.”

Williams accidentally revealed her pregnancy in April when she posted a picture of herself in a yellow swimsuit, showing off a prominent bump, on the social media app Snapchat.

It came with the caption ”20 weeks”, but was then deleted without explanation before official confirmation came several hours later.

Williams announced plans to compete in next January’s Australian Open in a lengthy interview with Vogue in August, admitting at the time the goal was “outrageous”.

“It’s the most outrageous plan,” Williams said.

“I just want to put that out there. That’s like, three months after I give birth.

“I’m not walking anything back, but I’m just saying that’s pretty intense.”

– With agencies

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