Serena Williams is Now on Maternity Leave Throughout 2017 Tennis Season

The world number two Tennis star, Serena Williams has been confirmed pregnant and will be going on maternity leave all through 2017 Tennis Season.

The American superstar, 35, is due to give birth in autumn, says her representative, Kelly Bush Novak.

According to BBC, the confirmation came hours after Williams, due to regain to the Number 1 world ranking next week, posted a picture on social media app Snapchat, posing in a mirror with the message: “20 weeks” (read here).

Williams deleted the photo shortly after it appeared and waited more than six hours to make any public comment.

”I’m happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this fall,” the representative said. She added that the world’s highest paid female athlete intends to sit out the remainder of the 2017 season and return next year after delivery.

If the mum-to-be is indeed 20 weeks pregnant, that would mean she was approximately two months pregnant when she won her record 23rd Grand Slam tournament singles title at the Australian Open in January.

Six days ago, Serena seemed to stir speculation about impending motherhood with an Instagram post praising a newly published guidebook for new mothers by former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland.

”One of these days I hope to apply this (but for now I’ll stick to my dog Chip),” she captioned.

Congratulations Serena!

Photo credit: Snapchat