Serena and her fiance, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, welcomed their first child on Friday.
Tennis star Serena Williams has given birth to a baby girl with fiance Alexis Ohanian. The baby girl arrived on Friday, September 1 at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, weighing in at 6 lbs., 13 oz., according to a tweet from WPBF-25 news producer Chris Shepherd.
The 35-year-old American, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has not competed since winning the Australian Open in January but has posted several videos to social media showing her hitting balls during her pregnancy.
Here are some reactions to the big news:
"A baby girl? Well, I hope she doesn't play tennis," world number three Garbine Muguruza said with a smile during a news conference.
Fellow American Sloane Stephens said she expected to see a lot of the newborn. "I am very happy for her," she said. "I cannot wait to see the little baby girl on tour because I am sure she will be around."
Williams confirmed her pregnancy in April hours after triggering frenzied speculation when she accidentally posted a short-lived selfie on social media with the caption: "20 weeks".
Williams, the world's highest-paid female athlete, was about two months pregnant when she captured her 23rd grand slam singles title at the Australian Open, one short of the all-time record held by Australian Margaret Court.
She told Vogue magazine last month about her "outrageous plan" to defend her title in Australia, where the year's first grand slam will be played from Jan. 15-28.
Other women have left the tour to have children and returned at a high level, although none has done so at Williams' age.
Kim Clijsters of Belgium retired and had a child before coming back at age 26 and winning three grand slam titles. Australians Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Court also won grand slam titles after having children.
(Inputs from agencies)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "tennis, Web Exclusive, serena williams, alexis ohanian, Rafael Nadal, sloane stephens, margaret court, Kim Clijsters")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}