Serena Williams reveals she was bedridden for six weeks following birth of her daughter

Williams suffered blood clots on her lungs and was unable to get out of bed

Williams delayed her return to tennis this month (Getty)

Serena Williams has revealed she was beridden for six weeks following the birth of his first daughter, for whom she needed an emergency caesarean section, and that being a mother sometimes left her feeling “broken”.

The former world no 1 spoke while appearing on the front cover of US fashion magazine Vogue, where she discussed the medical complications she faced during the birth of her baby, Alexis Olympia.

She revealed not only did she need an emergency C-section after the baby’s heart-rate dropped but she also underwent several procedures to address blood clots settling on her lungs before the wound kept opening up, leaving Williams bedbound.

The 36-year-old, who delayed her return to tennis after pulling out of this month’s Australian Open, also spoke about the pressure of being a parent and how it often leaves her feeling like she can’t do it.

“Sometimes I get really down and feel like, man, I can’t do this,” she told Vogue magazine. “It’s that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes. I guess that’s just who I am.

“No one talks about the low moments – the pressure you feel, the incredible let-down every time you hear the baby cry. I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times. Or I’ll get angry about the crying, then sad about being angry, and then guilty, like, why do I feel so sad when I have a beautiful baby? The emotions are insane.”