Serena Williams shared a lengthy video of her new daughter on Wednesday morning, along with a video documenting her entire pregnancy.
She posted the lengthy Instagram story almost two weeks after giving birth on September 1, an event she also included in the video.
Serena, 35, also revealed that the baby girl is named Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. – just like her father – and that the family had to spend six days in the hospital after her arrival because of complications.
Blue steel: The tennis star appeared to be teasing the upcoming video on Tuesday night when she posted a photo of herself and her fiance, writing: ‘… but are you ready?’
‘Look what we got! A baby girl’ says Serena at the end of the video after speaking about the complications.
She does not go into any details beyond stating that there was an extended hospital stay, and Alexis was born weighing 6lbs 14ozs, a healthy weight for a newborn.
Serena also posted a photo of her daughter resting on her shoulder to Instagram, writing: ‘Meet Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. You have to check out link in bio for her amazing journey. Also check out my IG stories.’
She had guessed that she was having a girl in an interview with Vogue that ran in the magazine’s September issue.
‘Alexis thinks we’re having a boy, but I have a strong suspicion that it’s a girl,’ said Serena.
‘Two weeks after we found out, I played the Australian Open. I told Alexis it has to be a girl because there I was playing in 100-degree weather, and that baby never gave me any trouble. Ride or die. Women are tough that way.’
Baby on board: Serena also shared photos that showed her baby bump throughout he pregnancy (above at 39 weeks)
I woke up like this: Serena’s birth was announced at the same time as sister Venus’ third round win at the US Open (above at 33 weeks)
Greatest of all time: Serena admitted that she was ‘nervous’ about childbirth in a recent interview (above at 22 weeks)
In the beginning: Serena announced that she was pregnant with this bathing suit post at 20 weeks (above)
Guessing game: ‘Alexis thinks we’re having a boy, but I have a strong suspicion that it’s a girl,’ said Serena in a recent interview (above at 15 weeks)
Grand Slam: ‘Two weeks after we found out, I played the Australian Open. I told Alexis it has to be a girl because there I was playing in 100-degree weather, and that baby never gave me any trouble. Ride or die. Women are tough that way,’ said Serena (above at the Australian Open)
Few are tougher than Serena however, which is why it was a bit of a surprise to hear her say that she was ‘nervous about childbirth’ in that same interview.
‘I’m not a spring chicken. The one thing I really want is an epidural, which I know a lot of people are against, but I’ve had surgeries galore, and I don’t need to experience any more pain if I can avoid it,’ said Serena.
‘But the biggest thing is that I don’t really think I’m a baby person. Not yet. That’s something I have to work on. I’m so used to me-me-me, taking care of my health, my body, my career. I always ask, Am I going to be good enough?’
Among the things Serena has been doing to take care of her health while p[regnant was inject her body with anticoagulants every day so that she avoided getting blood clots.
She is at high risk after an incident in 2011 when complications from a foot surgery caused bilateral pulmonary embolisms, and led to her lengthiest exit from the tour.
Taking care of business: Serena is at high risk for blood clots after an incident in 2011 when complications from a foot surgery caused bilateral pulmonary embolisms, and led to her lengthiest exit from the tour (above getting to work on the nusery)
Preparing for baby: As a result of that incident, Serena had to inject her body with anticoagulants every day while pregnant to avoid getting blood clots (Serena above in a baby class)
If she builds it, she will come: Serena did not rely on movers or builders to put together her baby’s crib
On the way: Serena showed her and fiance Alexis (above) as they made their way to the hospital for the birth of their baby
Touching tribute: Alexis wrote that Serena was ‘the most beautiful woman on earth’ in a video he took of her on the way to the hospital (above)
Nailed it: Serena, who is a certified nail technician, showed off picture perfect tips even after giving birth (above)
Serena will be back though in just a few months, which even she realizes is a bit unreal.
‘It’s the most outrageous plan,’ said Serena.
‘I just want to put that out there. That’s, like, three months after I give birth. I’m not walking anything back, but I’m just saying it’s pretty intense.’
She then revealed her fear of fading away, something that would never happen given her complete dominance in the sport.
‘In this game you can go dark fast. If I lose, and I lose again, it’s like, she’s done. Especially since I’m not 20 years old,’ said Serena.
‘I’ll tell you this much: I won’t win less. Either I win, or I don’t play.’
Baby plan: ‘I’m not a spring chicken. The one thing I really want is an epidural, which I know a lot of people are against, but I’ve had surgeries galore, and I don’t need to experience any more pain if I can avoid it,’ said Serena earlier this summer (above wearing Versace at the Met Ball in May with Alexis)
Big changes: ‘But the biggest thing is that I don’t really think I’m a baby person. Not yet. That’s something I have to work on,’ said Serena (above)
New role: I’m so used to me-me-me, taking care of my health, my body, my career. I always ask, Am I going to be good enough?’ wondered Serena (above with Alexis at her 50s themed baby shower)
Fruits of her labor: Few are tougher than Serena, which is why it was a bit of a surprise to hear her say that she was ‘nervous about childbirth’
dancing towards the finish line: Alexis also posted video of his wife dancing towards the end of her pregnancy (above)
The tennis star appeared to be teasing the upcoming video on Tuesday night when she posted a photo of herself and her fiance, writing: ‘… but are you ready?’
It was her first time posting on Instagram since the birth, with Serena having spent the past two weeks dealing with more important matters.
She made her return to Twitter however on Friday, when the greatest female tennis player of all time made a point of congratulating this year’s US Open finalists.
‘There are NO words to describe how proud and how happy I am for @Madison_keys and @SloaneStephens for making the US open finals,’ wrote Sernea about the two young, black Americans who were competing for the title in New York.
‘These amazing women continue to change the game and bring excellence, power, finesse and change to tennis.’
She then added: ‘What a joy it will be to watch this- hopefully first of many finals. Let’s go ladies!’
Serena sent out her love and encouragement despite the fact that she was not competing and that Stephens, the eventual winner, beat her older sister Venus to earn a place in the final.
Stephens and Keys may want to enjoy their success while they can however, as Serena is now looking to come back with a vengeance.