Serena Williams has revealed that she almost died last year after giving birth, before making a remarkable comeback to reach the Wimbledon final. The 36-year-old American said she endured a 'crazy 10 months' following an emergency C-section and subsequent surgeries for a pulmonary embolism.
Williams, who gave birth to daughter Olympia in September 2017, suffered blood clots that required further surgery. 'I lost count after, like, four surgeries because I was in so many surgeries,' she said. 'I was really touch-and-go for a minute. I almost didn’t make it.'
The former world No.1 admitted there was 'a time I could barely walk to my mailbox'. Despite the ordeal, she has now reached her 10th Wimbledon final, just her fourth tournament back, and could equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
'It’s by far the toughest to get here, but in a way it’s by far the best,' Williams said. She started Wimbledon ranked 181st in the world but has won 20 consecutive matches at the All England Club.
On Saturday, she faces Angelique Kerber in a rematch of the 2016 final. If victorious, Williams will become only the second mother to win Wimbledon after Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
