Exclusive: ‘C-Section and blood clot’ – Serena Williams’ coach reveals childbirth ordeal

Updated 17/01/2018 at 10:07 GMT

Childbirth complications forced Serena Williams to miss the Australian Open, her coach Patrick Mouratoglou has revealed to Eurosport.

Serena Williams, Australian Open 2017

Image credit: Getty Images

Williams was pregnant with her first child when she lifted the trophy in Melbourne 12 months ago, before missing the remainder of the season.

The 36-year-old gave birth to a baby girl, Alexis Olympia, in September – but her plans to defend her title in Australia were derailed due to medical problems.

"We expected Serena to be here. She really wanted to be here,” Mouratoglou told Eurosport on a Facebook Live.

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"Serena had some medical issues, she had a C-section – for a sportswoman that’s difficult because they cut your abdominal muscles and then she had a blood clot so she was still in hospital for a long time.

"I mean she had so many issues so she lost at least two months of her preparation so wasn’t ready for the Australian Open.”

Instead, Williams is targeting a return at Indian Wells in March, with her focus fixed on overtaking Margaret Court’s haul of 24 Grand Slam titles. The American is on 23.

"For someone like her, who has won 23 Grand Slams already, she wants to beat the record so it makes sense for her to try and do that,” Mouratoglou added.

"I think with her career she needs to come back and be ready and able to play her game. It doesn’t make sense for her to come back too early. If you’re not ready you can get injured. She will come back when she is ready.

"Serena is very happy, she was dreaming about having a family for quite a few years; she met her husband, got married last year, had her first baby –and she’s the happiest lady on the planet.

"Still though, she has that competitive spirit and she still feels she’s not done with tennis. Like a great champion, she will be very sad when the moment comes to stop. But it’s not now –which is good for us!"

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