Despite Life-Threatening Condition, Serena Williams’ Thirst for Life Made Her Attend an Oscars Party in 2011: ‘Kind of Just to Get My Spirits Up’

Serena Williams retired gloriously from tennis after a span of 27 years. The player did not have an easy ride during all these years. Apart from the ever-present critiques, she also had to battle quite a few health scares. In 2011, during an interview, she talked about the blood clots that were found in her lungs. This halted her career for some time, as she needed time to recover.

With 23 grand slam titles to her name, Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis icons who is not just praised for her career but for her resilience and perseverance.

Serena Williams had a health scare because of blood clotting 

At that point, the American player had clinched 13 grand slam titles. However, she had to take a break for some time after she had discovered a large swelling in her leg. When doctors could not find anything, they did a CT scan of her lungs. She immediately followed their advice and injected blood thinners.

Despite her deteriorating health, she wanted to get out to feel better, so she attended various Oscar parties. She said, “I had been through so much in the past eight months.” Defining her state, she said, “Just really kind of low on energy, but I was like, “I’ve got to do something,” kind of just to get my spirits up.” 

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However, this was not the end of her health scare. She ended up in the hospital because of a discovery of a large hematoma in her stomach. The clotting had increased in size from that of a ‘golf ball’ to the size of a ‘grapefruit’. The doctors had advised her to take it out surgically, as it was not possible to drain it out.

The ups and downs in Williams’ career

This was not the only health scare during the astounding career of Serena Williams. The player won 2017 Australian Open while she was pregnant with her beloved daughter Olympia. Childbirth was not an easy journey for the player. Like her health scare in 2011, she had small blood clots in her lungs immediately after delivering Olympia.

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However, she got through it successfully. Now, after retirement, the player wants to focus on her family and other endeavors.