Serena Williams announces birth of second child: ‘Welcome my beautiful angel’

Ewan West
Serena Williams farewell
Serena Williams US Open

Tennis legend Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian have welcomed their second child, with the couple announcing the birth on social media.

Williams revealed her second pregnancy at the 2023 Met Gala in May and on Tuesday, August 22, she and her husband confirmed the arrival of their second daughter – named Adira River.

The former world No 1 announced the news in a heartwarming video shared on her TikTok account, with the caption: “Welcome my beautiful angel.” Joined by her husband and the pair’s first daughter Olympia, 5, Williams leaves and returns with the family’s newest member.

The WTA and US Open were among official accounts in the tennis community to congratulate the legendary former player on social media. The International Tennis Hall of Fame account asked: “Future Hall of Famer?”

@serenaWelcome my beautiful angel♬ original sound – Serenawilliams

Alexis Ohanian shared a Tweet with a message about the birth and some pictures of the family together.

“Welcome, Adira River Ohanian. I’m grateful to report our house is teaming with love: a happy & healthy newborn girl and happy & healthy mama. Feeling grateful,” wrote Ohanian on X (Twitter).

“Serena Williams you’ve now given me another incomparable gift — you’re the GMOAT (Greatest Mother Of All Time).Thanks to all the amazing medical staff who took care of my wife & our daughter I’ll never forget the moment I introduced Olympia Ohanian to her baby sister.”

Williams welcomed her first daughter in September 2017 and later revealed in a piece written for CNN that she almost died after the birth.

“I almost died after giving birth to my daughter, Olympia. Yet I consider myself fortunate. While I had a pretty easy pregnancy, my daughter was born by emergency C-section after her heart rate dropped dramatically during contractions,” said the American.

“The surgery went smoothly. Before I knew it, Olympia was in my arms. It was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever experienced in my life. But what followed just 24 hours after giving birth were six days of uncertainty.

“It began with a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs becomes blocked by a blood clot. Because of my medical history with this problem, I live in fear of this situation.

“So, when I fell short of breath, I didn’t wait a second to alert the nurses. This sparked a slew of health complications that I am lucky to have survived.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion retired from tennis following the 2022 US Open. The 41-year-old won her final major title at the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant.

READ MORE: WATCH: Serena Williams shares Venus’ hilarious reaction to gender reveal troll

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