Serena Williams is expecting a baby and will not play again this year but aims to return to the women’s tour in 2018.
The 35-year-old posted a picture of herself via Snapchat captioned “20 weeks” on Wednesday and her publicist Kelly Bush Novak made an official announcement.
“I’m happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this fall,” the publicist said in a statement.
While Williams won’t play again this year, “she looks forward to returning in 2018,” Bush Novak said.
Williams’ social media post showed the 35-year-old in a yellow swimsuit that revealed the baby bump.
But the post was quickly taken down, lending to an air of mystery over its meaning.
In December, Williams announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, first sharing that news on the Reddit social media site.
If Williams is 20 weeks into her pregnancy, that means she was already expecting when she won her record-setting 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January – where she beat her elder sister Venus in the final.
Here are a selection of the best tweets from the tennis community, congratulating Serena’s news:
@serenawilliams πΌβ€ π!! You will be such an amazing mother and I wish your family health and happiness for the best journey in the world π
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) April 20, 2017
There's gonna be a baby GOAT ..... We are so happy, and we know @serenawilliams will be a great mother
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 20, 2017
She won a grand slam pregnant. I needed Andy to dress me, carry me, and delicately place me on the toilet when I was 4 weeks pregnant. https://t.co/gxXaj6VVDF
— Brooklyn Decker (@BrooklynDecker) April 20, 2017
"Auntie Caro" sounds pretty good to meβΊοΈπ Everyone around me getting pregnant! What a beautiful time ππβ€οΈπΆπΌπΆπΌπΆπΌ
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) April 20, 2017
It's official! πͺ πΌ@SerenaWilliams and @AlexisOhanian are expecting a baby this fall--> https://t.co/n7ZAn7ZJXz pic.twitter.com/zuL0r5RAHt
— WTA (@WTA) April 19, 2017
The GOAT herself @serenawilliams took to Snapchat to announce she's 20 weeks pregnant! Congratulations Serena! https://t.co/LLqXg4UA1m pic.twitter.com/APJsW04dgf
— USTA (@usta) April 19, 2017
A baby and a wedding? A VERY special year ahead for @serenawilliams So happy for her new journey...
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 19, 2017
We heard you're expecting a new arrival, @serenawilliams πΆ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 20, 2017
Congratulations from all of us at #Wimbledon π pic.twitter.com/scrfgaJGwh
Congrats @serenawilliams on the huge Baby news
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) April 19, 2017
And here’s some more reaction…
Serena Williams announcing her pregnancy on Maria Sharapova's birthday pic.twitter.com/t7t8R9Uu0q
— chrissy (@chRIHssy) April 19, 2017
So Serena cheated. Because that's technically a doubles match.ππ½ https://t.co/gkyBYlcHtQ
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams is 20 weeks pregnant I hope I'm the baby
— Evan (@Well_its_evan) April 19, 2017