VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Serena Williams says she was taking a personal photo of her progressing pregnancy on Snapchat when she accidentally pressed the wrong button and made the post public.
The photo of the tennis superstar in a one piece bathing suit was captioned “20 weeks.” Despite the lack of information, it immediately made headlines around the world last week. Her publicist later confirmed the pregnancy to The Associated Press.
Williams told Gayle King at the TED2017 Conference in Vancouver on Tuesday night that the mishap wasn’t a big deal because she planned to share the news shortly.
Williams says she plans to return to the court after becoming a mom, adding, “my baby is going to be in the stands, hopefully cheering for me and not crying too much.”
“I was just saving them (for myself)” said Williams. “I’ve been so good about it, but this was the one time it slipped.”
Williams said she had found out she was pregnant only two days before the Australian Open in January, which she went on to win for her 23rd grand slam title.
“It wasn’t very easy. You hear all these stories about people when they’re pregnant – they get sick, they get really tired, really stressed out,” she said.
“I had to really take all that energy and put it in a paper bag, so to say, and throw it away.
“Pregnant or not, no one knew and I was supposed to win that tournament. Every time I play, I’m expected to win. If I don’t win, it’s actually much bigger news.”
“I definitely plan on coming back. I’m not done yet,” said Williams, who credited her 36-year-old sister Venus, a seven-times grand slam champion, for inspiration.
“If she’s still playing, I know I can play.
“This (motherhood) is just a new part of my life. My baby’s going to be in the stands and hopefully cheering for me.”
