Serena Williams has revealed how her determination saved her life following the birth of her daughter, Olympia. The tennis legend said she had to fight for the CT scan that uncovered dangerous blood clots in her lungs, after her concerns were initially dismissed by hospital staff.
Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, welcomed their daughter via emergency C-section on September 1, 2017. Just 24 hours later, she developed a pulmonary embolism and underwent multiple surgeries. Writing in an essay for Elle, adapted from the book Arrival Stories: Women Share Their Experiences of Becoming Mothers, she described the frightening ordeal in detail.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion pointed out the troubling reality that Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during or after childbirth compared to white women—a statistic she believes would change if their voices were taken seriously in medical settings.
Williams said she first learned of her pregnancy just before the 2017 Australian Open. Though she experienced minor symptoms early on, she largely enjoyed the experience of being pregnant. By late August, doctors induced labor, and while she initially loved the “work of labor,” Olympia’s heart rate began to dip during contractions, leading to the emergency C-section.
What followed was a blur of pain, worry, and repeated surgeries. Already aware of her history with blood clots, Williams asked repeatedly about being placed on blood thinners. Her concerns, however, were brushed aside until her persistence convinced a nurse to call her doctor. A scan confirmed her fears—she had a clot in her lungs that required urgent treatment.
In total, Williams endured four surgeries during her week-long hospital stay, including procedures to remove clots and treat a hematoma in her abdomen. Her husband, Ohanian, never left her side, abandoning plans even for a quick shower as she was repeatedly rushed back into surgery.
Recovering at home was another battle. She recalled how simply walking halfway down her driveway felt like a major victory, with her family cheering her on.
Now a mother, Williams says her outlook has changed. While she still desires success on the court, she no longer feels she needs to win. Her greatest achievement, she shared, is being able to go home to her daughter, Olympia, who frequently appears on her Instagram dressed in matching outfits.
“Being heard and treated appropriately made the difference between life and death for me,” she wrote. “That’s something every woman deserves.”
