Her motherly duties took precedent.
Tennis legend Serena Williams was a no-show at Friday’s Media Day press conference for the upcoming U.S Open in New York City.
According to the New York Post, a United States Tennis Association official announced to the disappointed fans that Williams canceled her appearance because her 11-month old baby girl Alexis Olympia was ‘under the weather.’
Doting mom: Serena Williams missed Friday’s Media Day press conference for the upcoming U.S. Open in New York City because her daughter Alexis Olympia was sick
All of the other top tennis players competing in the U.S. Open were on hand for Friday’s Media Day, which was open to fans for the very first time.
Williams reportedly rescheduled her press conference for Saturday when she is expected to appear at Ashe Kids Day, which is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The new mom has won the U.S. Open six times during her illustrious career, with the last time being in 2014.
Keeping her priorities: ‘Lots of people have called this my comeback. But becoming a mom isn’t something I’m coming back from. It’s part of who I am,’ she wrote in the caption of a video of her with Alexis Olympia she shared on Instagram
Keeping her commitments: Williams rescheduled her press conference for Saturday when she is expected to appear at Ashe Kids Day, which is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
The new mom gave birth to little Olympia in September and after several pregnancy-induced problems, returned to Grand Slam tennis for the French Open in May 2018. She made it to the fourth round but had to withdraw due to a pectoral injury.
In July, she made it all the way to the finals of the Wimbledon Championship, before losing to Angelique Kerber of Germany.
‘Lots of people have called this my comeback. But becoming a mom isn’t something I’m coming back from. It’s part of who I am,’ she wrote in the caption of a video of her with Alexis she shared on Instagram.
‘It’s been both incredibly amazing and incredibly tough, but it’s only made me stronger. Especially because of the love and support you’ve all shown me. I’ll be playing in the US Open for the first time since having Olympia and #ThisMama is gonna give it her all!’
Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, which is a record in the Open Era.
The U.S. Open kicks off on Monday in New York.
Record setter: Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, which is tops in the Open Era
Gearing up for another title: The U.S. Open kicks off on Monday in New York