American tennis legend Serena Williams had an incredible journey. She has inspired a large section of the world. Be it her background, the financial challenges, or her health troubles, she never gave up. The attitude to keep going was again on display in the Australian Open 2017.

The former world number 1 found out that she is pregnant. However, this didn’t stop her from competing in the tournament. Later, her then-coach Patrick Mouratoglou revealed she didn’t inform him as well. Here’s what the Frenchman revealed about Serena’s 2017 Australian Open campaign.

Serena didn’t tell her coach about her pregnancy

In the first Grand Slam of 2017, Serena played with pregnancy. Although it might sound great, the participation was equally risky. This definitely had Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou in worry when he discovered it. Later in an interview, the Frenchman revealed he was completely unaware of the situation. Here’s what he said. “Not at all and I’m angry she didn’t tell me. I think she was herself so surprised, she didn’t expect it. I think she kind of panicked like wow, I mean it’s crazy to be ready to play a major and find out that you’re pregnant a few days before.”

Mouratoglou further added, “I think she thought, ‘Okay let’s not say anything and pretend I’m not and see what’s happening–and she won the tournament.”

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Serena defeated her elder sister Venus in the finals to clinch her 23rd Grand Slam title. Interestingly, Serena didn’t drop a set throughout the tournament.

Navratilova credits Serena Williams for inspiring women

Recalling her playing days, the 65-year-old said that in her time it was either tennis or kids for women. The women used to retire after childbirth. However, the trend has changed in the past few years. We have seen that female athletes come back after childbirth and play the dual role of an athlete and mother.

Navratilova was full of praise for the 23-time Grand Slam champion for inspiring women to do so. Notably, after the birth of her daughter Olympia, Serena returned to the court in style and made it to the finals of two Grand Slam events in 2018.

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She remained in the top ten for a long time and also made it to the Grand Slam finals twice again. The way Serena continued to play top-level tennis after childbirth is truly remarkable.