Serena Williams has been called out on social media for saying giving birth will make her a ‘real woman’.
The comments were made in an interview with Australian newspaper the Herald Sun, where the tennis star discussed being a feminist.
When discussing her pregnancy, Williams said: “I have so much respect for so many women [for giving birth].
“I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It’s going to be something incredibly impressive to go through.”
The 35-year-old is due to give birth in September to her first child with Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit.
However her comments have received criticism, with people taking to social media to vent about her ‘narrow’ world view and questioning whether she thinks those cannot or don’t have children are not “real women”.
'Having a baby will make me a real woman' … @serenawilliams on feminism, fear & motherhoodhttps://t.co/afNihC4aiZ pic.twitter.com/3rweoEvBc2
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) August 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/KimSavinoJoyce/status/894977424726929408?ref_src=twsrc^tfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fwomen%2Flife%2Fserena-williams-says-cant-wait-give-birth-real-woman%2F
@serenawilliams So, in your view, I'm not a real woman because I CHOSE not to have children? 🤷🏽♀️#ChooseYourWordsCarefully pic.twitter.com/HnQYn71Ldt
— Amaris Rose 🥀 (@native_amaris) August 8, 2017
What a ridiculous comment! I am not "less of a woman" because I dont have children.
— Dr Victoria Johnson (@DrVicJohnson) August 5, 2017
In the same interview, Williams said:
“I definitely am a feminist. I like to stick up for women and women’s rights. ”
“So many things happen and I just think, ‘Wow, why don’t we have a chance?’ ”
“If that makes me a feminist, I am proud to be one.”
Williams announced she was pregnant on the social media app Snapchat back in April.
She told the publication that giving birth will give her “more strength”.
“…and a lot more confidence,” Williams continued. “I feel like I will be ready for anything.”
Williams was also candid when asked about giving birth. “I don’t think watching birthing videos helps,” she admits.
“I actually think it makes it worse. Having a baby, nothing is guaranteed.”
She is thought to have already been pregnant when she won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian open in January.
