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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 12: Serena Williams of the USA celebrates with daughter Alexis Olympia after winning the final match against Jessica Pegula of USA at ASB Tennis Centre on January 12, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 12: Serena Williams of the USA celebrates with daughter Alexis Olympia after winning the final match against Jessica Pegula of USA at ASB Tennis Centre on January 12, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Serena Williams is inarguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The American legend has taken the sport to a whole new pedestal and has been an inspiration to thousands of youngsters.
However, Serena Williams’ journey hasn’t been easy. She has faced many obstacles in both her personal and professional life but has stood firm even after all that.
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Jill Smoller talks about the Serena Williams’ strong character
In a recent podcast, Serena’s agent, Jill Smoller, disclosed that the 23-time Grand Slam champion has suffered from a lot of trauma and tragedy in her life. However, she mentioned that despite all that, even though a weaker person would have given up much early, the 40-year-old is still fighting.

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Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 29, 2021. Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich Pool via REUTERS/Jed Leicester
“I think that what happened in the hospital for those four days was I think, some of the hardest moments that I’ve had to be through,” said Jill in the podcast.
Fans are well aware of Serena’s condition during her daughter’s Olympia’s birth. Serena faced a lot of complications while giving birth to her daughter and had to undergo numerous surgeries. There were even doubts about Serena’s survival.
Jill also threw light on the incident and highlighted that even though Serena had to go through four surgeries in three days, she wanted to come out of the hospital on the fifth day to accompany her daughter home.
“As you saw in the HBO doc, she insisted on day five of coming out of the hospital of caring Olympia’s car seat into the house. I mean, she had been through four surgeries in three days. And at any moment, she could have not made it. And it’s like, that’s what you’re thinking, well, I want to be the best mother. I want to be able to carry my daughter through my door,” added the agent as she shed light on the indomitable will of Williams.
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“Olympia is the first priority”- Jill on Serena
In the same podcast, Jill emphasized that family always comes first for Serena and Olympia is her first and foremost priority. She also stated that one doesn’t really know how to go through these harsh experiences.

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Alexis Olympia and Alexis Ohanian congratulate Serena Williams after she won her final match against Jessica Pegula. ASB Tennis Centre on January 12, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“What’s important to her- first and foremost is her family. And Olympia. Olympia is the first priority, her well being supersedes everything,” concluded Jill.
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Serena’s love for Olympia is evident to anyone who knows about the mother-daughter duo.
Also Read: Serena Williams ‘Shouldn’t Have to Hit Another Ball for Us’, Says Agent
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