Serena Williams announces details about her big comeback

She’s been here for years, but after giving birth to baby girl Alexis Jr., Serena Williams is ready for her big comeback and posted to Instagram to announce her intentions saying:

“It’s official. My comeback is here. This Thursday I will start playing tennis again professionally for the first time since giving birth to my daughter. This whole month I am playing tournaments in California and Florida—both my home states. Thursday, the day I play my very first match, marks international women’s day. My comeback could not have come on a better day and I decided I wanted to do something different let you all be apart of my long journey back (if you want of course!!) So I created my Serena Gold toned “S” pin.”

Williams is rallying her fans to wear the gold-toned pin in support of her charity the Yetunde Price Resource Center, which honors the life and legacy of her late sister by assisting, educating and strengthening individuals and families affected by violence and trauma. Williams’s sister, Yetunde Price was the victim of a drive-by shooting on September 14, 2003, in Compton, as she drove in her SUV with her boyfriend.

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“I want this gold “S” mean something special to you personally. What is one S word in your life that means something to you? Mine is Strong and Sure! So when I wear my “S” pin I am representing Strength, and Sureness,” she wrote.

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“What would your “S” mean? They are for now only available for my fans that come see my at Indian wells, and Miami starting Wednesday as well as Thursday when I play!! Sooooo if you are watching me stop by the Serena booth to grab an “S” pin. Post pics of you wearing your “S” and tag me!” she continued.

Welcome back champ!

Although Williams’s ready to return, she’s been enjoying her time off too. Plus, she got the greatest push present of all time!

The new mom and tennis titan was beaming after driving by four huge billboards on her way to a tennis tournament in Palm Springs, each with a special message from her new hubby Alexis Ohanian. The billboards outline the love the couple share along with their 5-month-old baby girl.

Williams posted: “I’m so fortunate to have @alexisohanian and @olympiaohanian by my side for my comeback. I love my surprise so much from them. I feel so special. Love you both.”

Scary post-partum moments

Serena Williams’ beautiful Vogue cover story inspired lots of oohs and aaahs, but the story that accompanied the cover caused quite a stir online. In the interview, the newly married tennis pro shared scary post-partum moments that many women on Twitter could unfortunately relate to and they noted how Williams’ celebrity did not spare her from what seemed to be dismissive treatment from hospital staff.

According to the story in Vogue, Williams told nurses that she needed a CT scan with contrast and IV heparin (a blood thinner) right away. The nurse thought she was confused as a result of the pain medication, Williams insisted until doctors ordered an ultrasound of her legs and eventually sent her for the CT. Sure enough, several small blood clots had already settled in her lungs.

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After that harrowing situation, Williams popped open her fresh C-section wound from the forceful coughing caused by the blood clots. Williams and her daughter are now faring well, but women on Twitter rallied together to highlight her experience is not uncommon for women, especially Black women.

A surprise fit for a queen

Ohanian recruited the help of AdQuick to pull off the billboard surprise for his wife which included four oversize photos of baby Alexis alongside the acronym G.M.O.A.T. (Greatest Momma of All Time).

“These just went up on alongside I-10 into Palm Springs,” the Initialized Capital cofounder on Instagram. “@olympiaohanian & I wanted to welcome her back to tennis. Designed them myself, with some help from Jr. #GMOAT.”

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Ohanian might have taken this play from Williams’s own playbook. In a recent Gatorade ad, Williams honored her baby girl saying:

“Sometimes you’ll score goals, sometimes you won’t. But the goals you set, you’ll reach together. “You’ll find the courage to stand tall, work harder and speak louder on whatever playing field you choose in life. So keep playing, my girl. Keep playing.”

The power couple welcomed Alexis Jr. in September and married in a star-studded event in New Orleans last November.