It’s Okay to Apologize to Your Kids with Serena Williams

Well, one thing I don't, well, that is definitely, I've never had that subject.

Yeah. That's kind of intimate. Well, you know, it's true. Well, but we're with moms. We were it. And this is only going to air to millions of people, so it's just between us girls. Well, we were in Rome. And...

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“Hey there, hi there, moms. Hey Serena, girl. Hey, what's happening?”

First of all, let me start by thanking Steve and Connie Balmer and the entire LA Clippers Organization for hosting us today. They are wonderful. Let's give them a round of applause. And you guys have been great partners to us personally, and we are incredibly grateful. To be working with you, so thank you. We're here today to talk about my favorite subject, motherhood, with some of my favorite people, mothers, right?

And what better guests to have, not just one of the greatest athletes in the world, but one of the greatest mothers in the world. Because we're backstage, and I'm like, how the girls, and this one, you know, you can't even say their names without just feeling it, right? Yeah, they're pretty special, pretty special. So we're going to talk about motherhood, our motherhood journeys, and so much more, but I want to

begin with just a fundamental question. I don't know about you. I've done a lot in life. I have

accomplished things, degrees, and all the things. And I always knew that I wanted to have a career.

I wanted to have an impact, but the one thing I always, always knew I wanted to be, was a mother. For sure, I mean, it is the most important thing, and I knew that from a long, long time. And that's not always true. We all come to motherhood in different ways, for different reasons, and there is no right way to be a mother. That's for sure that's all I've learned.

“But I'm wondering, Serena, did you feel that way? Did you always want to be a mother?”

Yeah, I actually have always wanted to be a mom. I didn't know, you know, there's a lot of

things involved with becoming a mom, but I always knew that I wanted to be a mom. Even when I was

young, playing with my dolls, you know, I was always the one that just wanted to have kids. So it's always been something that I've always knew throughout my life, and I didn't know when, you know, I just didn't know. When it was going to happen, but I always knew that there was one goal that I just definitely wanted to reach, and now it's becoming a mom. Yeah. And then you start trying to be a mom, which I did, and I, you know, what they never, what I was never told

was that the biological clock was real. And I try to tell a lot of young people that, a lot of young women that that clock is real. And Barack and I, we married in our late 20s, took our time, hanging tough, and then we started working on conceiving, I got pregnant once in miscarried, which was devastating. And then we tried and tried and tried, and we had to do IVF for both girls.

“Which, you know, it becomes, it's more of a thing than I knew then. I think more young women are”

talking about their conception journey that it's not always guaranteed. But Serena tell us, if you feel comfortable about your conception journey, I mean, well, one thing I don't, well, that is definitely, I've never had that subject. Yeah. That's kind of intimate. Well, you know, it's true. Well, but we're with moms. We were, and this is only going to

And...

One thing led to another. And then nine months later.

So, but you were pregnant while you were still, so were you, were you trying? No, I wasn't trying to have a kid at the time, but you were not not trying clearly. Apparently, but you know what's so interesting about what you said about the biological clock. I tell all my friends

“of age, freezer eggs. Yeah. Because I just feel like that is the best thing that you can do as a”

woman, and as you decide to go on this journey. Like, I feel like, well, I did that, and I... You, you froze my eggs, and I felt like once I did it, because I was still playing professional tennis. And, you know, I felt like I wasn't ready to stop, and I wanted to keep going. And, you know, it just wasn't time. And then all of a sudden, all this pressure came off of my shoulders. Like, there's just all this weight, just fell off my shoulders once. I did that. Then I told,

"Every ever since then, I told everyone to do it." And somehow... How old were you when you... I was in my 20s. I was like, 27, 28, so... So, it was a really good time to do it. And also,

someone told me to do it. So, always felt like it was really important for me to pay that forward.

'Cause then nowadays with technology, there's just so much that you can do, like you said, even with IVF, which, you know, is also such a great journey as well. And, you know, I just felt, like, I just felt so much better. I just felt so much better, but I actually had that option.

“So, yeah, so we had... That's what we were able to do as well.”

I mean, there's so much pressure on women just to, you know, I mean, you know, if you don't get that part right, there's still a feeling that something is missing. I don't know about all of you, but I know that when I struggle to conceive, I took that on, like a personal failure. I mean, I don't think that we have that conversation enough about how many times that either you conceive and you have a miscarriage or whether you can see even it doesn't work.

So, I feel like two times it's work when you're not trying to conceive, but that's right. It just, I think that's just really important part of just being a woman and it just, all these things that I'm all about, just breaking down these walls and talking about the uncomfortable and uncomfortable and talking about things that... So, you could, more or less, more about Rome, but it's okay. Not bad. Now, that's a different type of conversation.

I wasn't sure we were here for that. So, it was, I don't know, I just feel like a lot of people aren't really women aren't really open. Like it's kind of like, you know, like menopause and Perry menopause, like so many, like my mom's generation, no one's open about that conversation. My mother said she didn't remember. I was like, you were just lying. Exactly, or it didn't bother you. My mom's right.

You know, that was nothing. I don't get it right. It's never nothing to them.

Yeah, and I'm just like, but now I think this generation is all about it. Like, the more, the more you know about it and the more you can, you know, just tell people about it. Like, I try to tell everyone about it. I tell all my friends, listen, I started a, uh, printna zone. Why not? Yeah. And it helped me sleep better and helped me do it. And they're like, really? I hadn't done that, got my girl you better do it. I hear you.

So, and, you know, I'm all about just talking and having real raw open conversations,

“because I think it's so important, like, not to hide what all of us go through.”

That's absolutely, it doesn't matter what color you are. I'll call you all. It doesn't matter. We're all going to go through it. So, I think it's so important to have this conversation. So, back to the kids, I think that, too, is just like, you know, it's important to say, like, you know, this didn't work out for me, or this is how I had my kid, you know, or this is what I did. And this was my journey. And then it also helps you feel more, like, oh, it's okay.

Yes. Like, oh, I, you know, one thing when I was pregnant, I checked my underwear every single time I went to the bathroom. I mean, sure we all like that. It's still there. Exactly. It's like with no one talks about that, because it's just a natural, it's almost like a natural reaction. It's so true. Yes. Like, because you just have stressed the entire time you're pregnant until you actually give the baby they may have

a whole, another stress, but that's right. But it's just like, just, you know, having those conversations. I am so with you, one of the reasons why I like to be open and honest is because we didn't

There's so much we don't know about our bodies, so much that doctors don't share with us,

even the issue of conceiving and freezing eggs. If you don't have the right doctor at the right time, you may not get that information. I still know young women who aren't thinking about freezing their eggs, because nobody mentioned that to them. So it becomes, do you have the right doctor, are you in the right location? Do you can have that later? You can still use those eggs with your husband. It doesn't, like, it's just so you just have so many more opportunities and options. And so

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“So then you got pregnant, and you were in a grand slam tournament, when did you, what?”

I mean, okay, can you walk us back to when you found out? And because you were pregnant when you won the Australian Open in 2017, I had no intention of winning. But just for the right word, you were just, I'm just here. This was the right moment. It was one time I could lose and not be upset about. Really? No, because I remember thinking. So it all started in New Zealand. I was playing a tournament before Australia, an open in New Zealand.

And I'm not the most positive person on the court. If anyone ever followed my career, everyone was making fun of Coco. Everyone see that and making fun of her. I know, right? It's Spanish and Ragging. Oh, and just they told me because I was like, uh, really? Can you smash that in one go? Like, hello? Coco, you can do better than that. You're too better than that. And then of course, all the, so-and-sorry, pulling up all the pictures

“of the rackets, I suppose. I was like, wait, when does this a Serena roast?”

I was just trying to support it. Just trying to help the girl out. Just get off my back. Anyways, I was at this time with the famous attitude that I may have had sometimes. And I just had a bed. I just lost to this girl that I just, I shouldn't have lost to. And I just remember I was just so mad that was windy and I was mad at the wind. And it was, the ball kid, I was mad at the ball kid. And I was so angry with everything. I was so mad.

And I sure I smashed the racket. I was miserable. Yeah. And even in the presser after,

we all know about pressers after. Oh my God. I said, I hate this. I never did this in my life.

I said, I hate this. I'm never coming back. It sucks.

why am I breathing so hard? Why are everyone? Anyway, eventually, I also my booze were massive, massive, massive. And I was like, okay, I'm just going to take a test. And I took a test. It was positive, but I was like, okay, this is crazy. And so anyway, so I ended up going to the doctor, and he's like, oh, surprise, you're like, I'm like, what am I? Like four weeks, praying on your seven weeks pregnant. Wow. And I was like, what? What six? It used me.

It was crazy, but then it all made sense. So that, I mean, that was the worst of one of the worst of the

words. And you were pregnant those other times. No, I was thinking about being a mom. I always wanted

to be a mom. Yeah. I was probably in the back of my head. So, so yeah, so then I was like, oh my gosh, so then I thought to myself, wow, self, what are we going to do? And self, there's a baby in here. And did you already commit it to play at the open? Yeah, that was just like doubles. So I pulled out the doubles and Venus didn't tell me anything, but later on, she said, when you pulled out, I knew you were pregnant. I'm like, how? You didn't tell her? No, because I also felt really bad,

because I was just like, I didn't want to pull out. And I didn't want her to be stressed. And then it was, it was, it was crazy. I couldn't, you know, just didn't want to stress what you're about. Yeah. So, um, one of my sisters knew, and the baby daddy named my husband. Yeah, that's good. That's good. That's good. And, um, my agent knew Jill. Uh-huh. So we just kept it and then, but go apparently Venus knew, too. So she told, like, earlier, it was like on the third round in the

locker room, she's like, she told me and I was like, oh, okay. And then I felt bad in the final,

because I was like, I always felt bad because I was like, she probably wanted to make

take it easy on me because she's always protecting me. Yeah. So I was like, I wish she had really wish she hadn't known. Yeah. Because then maybe, I don't know, maybe it would have been different, maybe it wouldn't have, but still, I just like to be super fair with whoever I'm playing. So, yeah. So that's kind of how it happened. And then, at the end, I was nine weeks pregnant, and then,

“wow, it was nuts. So, so. So, how'd you feel through? I mean, I was exhausted. I remember”

that thing, the points. And so, most of us are just in bed. You know, we are bed. We're not, like, breaking brackets. We just didn't bed. I had to sleep for that. But I remember,

thinking to myself, I can't play a long point. I need to finish after three shots, and I have to

be done. So, I hit, like, I was like, I did lots of winners and races, and witches, and, which is an insane, you were a bad addition. But I hadn't planned on winning, but every, every time I kept winning, I was like, oh, I can beat her. And then, you know, and I was like, oh, I can beat her. And then it was like, oh, I got to beat her. She pissed me off. So, she got to go down. There's only one or two of those. Are you just, you just revenge your way to the title?

Oh, girl. And then it was another, I can't understand. I mean, I have some sort of pride.

“So, that's how that's how it is. Wow. Wow. So, did it feel extra good?”

That you, yeah, but people, that's what I was saying. So, I didn't have long point. So, if I had a really long point, if you go back and watch the footage, I would lose the next point. And of course, it's only, my opponents don't get that they don't get to understand that rhythm, because that's normally, not normally how I play. But, you know, when you're getting every, eventually you'll see that after a long point, Serena loses the next point. So, you have to, because you're trying to catch your

breath. Yeah, but I also have to keep a face on that doesn't let anyone know that I'm, you know, a drug off stick. Yeah, like, surely can't breathe. But women can do anything. Amen. Amen. Especially with the help of God, do everything. Amen. And I knew I was having a girl, because I'll surely get really hot. If we do sells, they do sell, see it. So, it was like, 43 is like, 120. And one day, I had to play in 43. And I was like, no way. There's no way.

“And that's what I knew I'm having a girl, because I said to myself, no way, can a boy make it.”

They just, sorry, y'all. I just don't even say that in you. I genuinely said, and I told my husband, that day, we're having a girl. There's no way, a little boy can handle everything. Right. And we had a girl. That's right. Olivia was just like, Mom, we're cool.

But you know what? She has a bad attitude like me. She gets angry if she doesn't win. She gets so mad.

Well, we don't call that a bad attitude. We call that attitude. We call that attitude.

“Just take care. Okay, we call that competitive. Yes, that's what we, yes. No, that's what we call it.”

That is not bad attitude. It's not because of the man's attitude. Is that good that way? Yeah, well, they told me for years it's a bad attitude. Yeah, I love this. But guess what? I'm getting some good insights. We're both the youngest. And there's something about that determination, I believe. And I know I see it in my youngest. We have two girls. And I, you know, I think when you're keeping up, you know, I know I felt like

my brother would deliberately learn how to play a game. Go off and then go, "Meesh, let's play." And I'm like, dude, you know, he was just going to beat me down. What's the age difference?

It's a year and a half. It's almost two years. And so I'm always losing, you know, and trying to keep up.

And after a while, you just get pissed. And so I think there is a young good child determine it. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, but that doesn't explain Olympia because she's the oldest. I know. Okay. I think it was just the situation that she was in. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so a little bit from it. That's okay. So your, your labor and delivery experience was also a journey. Yeah, that was talk about it. That was a journey.

I have these issues with my blood. So I have my blood can caught pretty easily. So I have to be on certain type of medicines, especially if I'm pregnant, I have to always take injections every day. So when I had the baby, I, after I couldn't breathe and I kept telling the lady that nurse, I kept saying, "I can't breathe." And she was like, "Oh, well, you know, you'll be fine." I said, "No, actually, I think I need to get a cat scan because I feel

I think I've blood caught in my lungs." And you're in the hospital. I'm in the hospital. You had the baby. You had a seat. I've already had the baby. I had a C-section because she wouldn't come out. I knew I was going to have to have a C-section. So I just had to have a medication. I just felt like I feel a lot and I don't know three months in. I was like, I'm having a C-section. And so when they told me I had to have a C-section, I wasn't surprised

“and I went with the plan. And also tell women now, I say, "Listen, definitely if you want to push,”

go for it, I wish I could have done it." But also, if the doctor tells you they have to cut do it because I've seen so many kids be so effective because women want to stick to their plan of a nurse. I'm a nurse. I'm a nurse. And I've seen kids come out unfortunate and even die because they didn't follow the, you know, follow with the doctors. Well, that's another thing that women take on that birth has to look a certain way. And I for one was like, I went in five centimeters

dilated. I thought about natural birth for literally the conversation I had with my doctor that said, "Okay, it was like eight." And I said, "Well, how long is it going to take? How much? How long am I going to have to be in this kind of pain?" And she said about four hours. And I was like, "No."

“Stick that needle right in my back. I think I could have done it if she had said an hour, right?”

If she had said this baby's coming in an hour, I'm like, "Okay, I can do it." Before, I was like, so I mean, I'm going to plot the women that can do it. Well, it's wonderful. Yes, it's not me for you. But I'm not a murderer of our youth. I'm going to call it the ring of fire? Oh, yes. I know,

I'm going to want to meet the ring. I don't know. Sam always like,

"Would you get your tooth pulled without anesthesia? Is there anybody here? Would a man do that?" Definitely not. No. I know. You're going to be the butt of all the manager. He's handling it well, though. Steve, over there, cracking up. You know y'all are weak. So anyway, so I told the nurse that and she just was like, "This is crazy talk." Which may have sounded like crazy talk. For me to tell them what it'd give very exactly quote-unquote,

"What I needed and how I needed it." And then I started coughing so hard, so all my stitches just like burst open because I couldn't breathe. And so like, I was holding a pillow on my stomach, and I was just coughing because I was just like, "They're going to break, they're going to break,

that I had to have that redone. I think I had like five surgeries in that, I don't know,

it was, I don't remember some of them. And then my doctor came in and I was like, "I can't breathe.

“I think I need the cat scan." And this is like, after I'd already told the nurse. And then,”

because I remember my husband's parents were there. And I was in the room and they were talking, and they were holding the baby. And I calmly walked, because I'm, again, I've already walked and I calmly walked back. And I was like, "I don't want anyone to panic." And that's when I told the nurse, "I can't breathe." And I was just like, "You know, help me out here." And she didn't take me serious. So then when the doctor came, I was telling her, "Couldn't breathe."

And she was like, "Okay, I could look at her and tell that I don't know if she believed me, but she did everything I asked." And I was really grateful that I had her and that she was with me for the whole pregnancy journey. And it's so good to have a doctor that can, the wills into you. And you know, you might say things that don't make sense. But still, she, she heard me. She listened. And then she hadn't listened. It would, I wouldn't be here.

Yeah. And she made sure that she did what I asked. And then she found exactly what I said. So it was then I had to have another surgery to get like a something in my veins to stop clots from going to my heart. I had so many surgeries. It was how long were you in the hospital after you delivered? It was, it wasn't that long and it was only like eight days. And you had that many surgeries. It was eight days. It was crazy. And then you had to go home with a baby.

Then I, and I remember, my only goal was to be able to walk to the mailbox, because I was like, yeah. And one day I walked to the mailbox and I came back and I passed out over the rest of the day. Mm-hmm. It was, it was very intense. I remember watching the documentary that journey that followed your comeback. Mm-hmm. And it really moved me to see you, because it showed you and you and the family leaving with Olympia in the carrier. And you would

determine to carry her, but it was clear that you were struggling, that you were physically, you were not the Serena Williams, everybody knew. But I also was very proud of you for showing that story and anyone who hasn't reminded me of the name of the Serena being Serena, being Serena, this is like watching her journey and her comeback. You show it all in a way that is so

powerful. And if I didn't love you before then, I loved you even more, just watching your determination

to get that baby home regardless of your health. But you were struggling. Yeah, I was really struggling, but I also had some great help, you know, and sometimes, you know, family is so important. And not everyone has family. And so I just felt so grateful that I did have that. It must have been an ad. My family. And then, because I don't remember the, I don't remember the first three weeks. Yeah. Because I remember my husband's sister came to visit. And she told me like a year later.

“And I was like, I think, really remember you there. All right, would have never remembered it.”

She hadn't reminded me. I was like, oh my gosh, everything was just so, you know, it was a lot. Yeah, yeah. But it was good. And I think that, you know, everyone has their own journey. And I was blessed to have my journey. And I, the more I talk to women, the more I understand and see that everyone's journey is not everyone, but a lot of women's journey is so intense. Yes. And we'll be dead worse than mine. Giving birth is intense, which is why on the line.

It is why maternal health should not be a political football, because what our bodies do, what we are capable of doing is amazing. But the fact that there isn't research done on maternal health, there's a limited amount of information we get about our health. We aren't encouraged to ask questions. We aren't encouraged to talk amongst each other. And I just want us to vow today. You know, regardless of our generation, that we don't pass that down to the next generation.

“That we owe them the knowledge, the wisdom. Does we want to know?”

Yeah. I mean, everyone wants to know. And they don't want to know if they don't know. Yes. And so it's just like, knowledge is power. And it's like when you go to school,

you would never know the things that you learn unless you're taught those. You weren't asked

to learn about so many subjects, but you learned about them. And I feel the same way about our us and our health and in passing on that knowledge, and I think it's just so important.

I know. How's your trip going? You know, really well. And Kelly and the kids are here.

“So we're going to try and check out some of these all star activities. You know,”

it's been a busy time at home with the boys basketball schedules. And we've got a busy week of

recordings here in LA. So it's always nice having a relaxing place to stay while I'm here.

I know what you mean. I mean, I don't have that issue, but I know from your experiences that when you're on the road, you got to have a place that feels kind of like home. Exactly. And this, this time, my Airbnb has a steam shower, a fireplace. But, Mish, I know you've got quite a busy schedule of your own. You and Barack are prepping for a really big week of events. The grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in June, right? Yeah, yeah, we are so excited about the opening,

“the art in it is amazing. And we can't wait to share it with the community and with the world.”

That's so great. And I'm sure Chicago will be seeing a lot of visitors that week, including myself and my family with Airbnb local hosts can offer those travelers a proper welcome. And with visitors arriving from all around the world for a big event like this, it's even more important that people have some comfortable places to stay. So if you've got a place you're not using during a big event in your hometown, consider becoming a host on Airbnb. It's a great

way to make some extra money and a fun way to share your city with fellow fans. Your home becomes part of their experience and you get to help make their weekend feel even more memorable. So Chicago can't wait to see it in June. See you there. Well, let's turn to your mother because so much, you know, everybody talks about your dad and the relationship with your dad and

your mom sits in those stands in a way that I could never. She, I mean, I just couldn't watch my

“kids play. But she was always there. I had opportunity to meet her briefly. I think we were in”

Wimbledon for the Olympics. Yes. And I was there representing the United States for whatever reason. What sport was good? Did you get a medal? I did not. I got no medal. Oh, but you did. You got a few. But I met your mom. Talk about your mom. Yeah. Tell us about that amazing woman and what you've learned from her as a mother. Well, my mom is a very strong woman. She's definitely not sharing all this information though. Yes. Really. She came from that generation where mine either. Yeah,

Mary-in, but like don't remember anything. Yes. She's very tough. My mom's very tough. And she's,

she's actually the oldest of her siblings. So she's always been a mom. Yeah. And, you know, it's

interesting to be something that you've always been and then to grow up and to become a mother. And then she also took care of our grandkids. So, well, her grandkids. So, my mom, you know, growing, I'll start growing up. Growing up, I wasn't the best tennis player was always Venus, who was so great. And so, I was demoted to my mom's court because my dad, Venus, Venus always played with my dad and because he was better than my mom. He actually taught my mom.

My mom must have been an incredible athlete to learn how to play. Really, that fast. And so, from there, I would always be on her court. And so, I always wanted to be on my dad's court because he was more easy going and he was more fun. People always think he was easy. Yeah, I really. Yes. And so, my mom's court, there was no games. I had to be serious. I had to be do all this stuff. But then looking back, I was able to see that she was able to instill so much mental toughness

that I had that my sister actually did not end up getting because I had to do so much. I had to work. So hard, I had to do so many more things on her court. There were no games. It was so serious. It was just, I was very, in the end, I was very grateful that I had that time with her, to just focus on technique and focus on just not letting anything go because it really showed up

And so, my mom, then she traveled with us. Actually, the first tournament I ever won, we had to split again. My dad was with Venus and I was with my mom and Paris. And I was my first tournament. I think I was like 16. And I remember we shared our room because I love Paris. So, I remember like we were at this hotel

“on the other side of the song, the river. And I remember that we shared our room and she,”

as she had to bid, and I slipped on the cot because I love sleeping on the cot. Okay. All right. That wasn't as you can do. Serena Williams loves a cot. I remember every night, I wanted to watch cartoons every night. But you guys were big cartoon, people, you like still, I'm by the way, I love it. Yeah, I'm in general. I was going a little like that on the kids, but you know, I still see kids. Yeah. So, so I was still pretty young. I still had

excuse them. And so she didn't mind. And so like she made, she watched it with me every night. And so, such a good memory and a good moment every night after I went to match.

Because I always played this, I was in France and I played, oh, my whole draw was French people.

And the stadium was probably the size of this room, but it was loud, loud, loud, loud. And so, every time I played, everyone was massively against me, naturally, because I'm playing their country person. Nothing personal. It was crazy. And so every night I come home, like, wow, I can't believe I got through that. And every night, so I just got to shut off my brain, we were watching something animated, something. And then, um, and then that was that. And so,

eventually, when I won, I was just remember being so happy. And then I remember we called Venus. And she had in one, so she played another match. And she won her tournament. And so we both won different tournaments. And we were so happy. And so, so then you fast forward a little bit more. We start winning grand slams. And my mom was there for all the grand slams. And our first Olympics was actually in Sydney. And my mom was there. My mom was also very clumsy.

One time she loved sweets. Uh-huh. So one time we were at Wimbledon. And we see this woman hobbling her lung in the road. And I'm like, Mom, what is my mom? Oh my god. What's going on?

“Well, you need to see a doctor. I'm good. I'm going to get some food.”

When you just drive past and she's hot. Yeah, so we're like, what, why aren't you at the house? I need some cookies. And what? Like, are you okay? She had a broken toe.

And she was going to get a cookies. And she's to always hide cookies under the seat when we're

driving. She's talking, cookies. My dad would be like, why are all these cookies? So she definitely has a sweet tooth, which is kind of funny. But it's, it's, I have so many good memories. What was it like being coached by your mom? How did that being coached your, was that always good? Was, and because we got a lot of moms on here, probably did their share of coaching. How did your mom maintain that sort of special mom relationship? Or did she?

So I think what a lot of people don't realize is that we travel every time we went to Australia. Probably, actually, every time went to France, my mom was always there. My dad actually never

went to those tournaments. And so she was always our coach for all that time. And so I didn't know

how many Australian opens on one. And she. A lot. Yes. So she basically coached me through all of them. And I remember one time when I was 89 in the world and everyone had written me off. It was like 20 something. And they said, I would never win again, blah, blah, blah. And she told me before, in the final, before I played, I think I was playing Marie in that final, Maria Sharipova. She was like, she said, you've got this. You're going to do that. She told me exactly how to play. And I won

in less than an hour. And it was really genius. So she actually was a very great coach. And she'll say little things. My mom is not someone that's going to fill a room. She's going to say one word, but it's going to be the most powerful word in the room. And that's it. And so she'll say one thing

“like you need to attack the forehand. Oh, if it's low or there's something, would you have to listen?”

Yeah. And if you listen, you can catch on to it and you can be like, okay. And that's the kind of person she has even in life. You know, she always says like one, but raising my kid, she'll be like, you need to be with those girls. Yeah. And so no matter what's happening in the world or what we're all going through, I always remember, I got to be with those girls. You know, because she was

girls. Yeah. And so, and then she's like also a kind of person, like my sister, unfortunately passed

“early on. Yeah. And she's the kind of person that I remember when she found out, like we all were”

just traumatized, she just dropped everything. And she moved to LA, actually. And then she took care

of the grandkids. And she raised them. And she never moved back. So that's the kind of person that she

is she's very, she's used to responsibility. Yeah. And she has a lot on her shoulders, but she's so proud to carry it. And then now she's instilled that into all of our daughters to just carry that power, to carry that strength, and to pass it on to our kids, and to my kids, and all the other grandkids. So it's really, she's an amazing person. That's the quick version. Yeah. It's so much I can say about my mom, but she's really the last thing I'll say is, yeah, we do talk about our

dad a lot. And we wouldn't be here without our dad. Yeah. Obviously, obviously wouldn't be here with

my mom, but I've always described my mom as, if my, I always described us like this. My dad is the

body, because it was his vision, it was his goal, it was his dream. But my mom is a spine. You cannot function without that spine. It serves that come from it, the nervous system. You can have a dream. Yeah. You can have everything all set, but it's not going to work unless you have that part of you. Yeah. And so that's kind of how I describe my mom. Yeah. Yeah. So what kind of mom are you? Are you a spine like mom? I always ask this question a lot about parenting philosophy.

Because I think one of the things I admired most about my mom, my mom didn't go to college. My parents were working class folks. She was the middle of seven, but my mom was so emotionally intelligent, and she had such great common sense. Just like, just like, you're my, wouldn't have to say much, but everybody wanted to hear from her. And one of the things that I learned from her was that,

“you know, you just don't have kids. You have to understand that you're raising people.”

And so her approach to raising us was to talk to us like, who she wanted us to be later on. You know, she didn't treat us like baby. She loved us dearly, but she believed that all kids are born with a level of intelligence and ability, and she treated us that way. So she taught me, like, as I grew up, I was like, my mom had this really deep philosophy about parenting. You know, stuff you learned in sociology and psychology classes just came naturally to her.

So I kind of think about parenting as this huge responsibility to think about where am I

trying to get my girls, not how I feel in the moment. So I always wonder what folks parenting

“philosophies are. And do you think you have one and how would you describe your your mothering approach?”

So Venus is a planner. She writes everything down, even when she got married. It was just from everything was just over, oh, it was a lot. Yeah, right to be honest. Don't worry, this is coming full circle. So she was always a person that read books, like that would get through everything, like, with no exactly what she wants to do. So I think I'm different. I don't have like a like that plan. Yeah. I never had like a philosophy. I just as organized as I am in my life,

like to a point where everything is labeled. My parenting skills is different. I kind of feel like obviously I have spiritual goals for the kids. I have, you know, ideas for education goals. I have those types of things. But I never really thought much about over, I don't my philosophy is just to be the best that I can to show up. And to also be, I felt like I love my parents and how they raised us and just kind of pick and choose out of the some of the things that they that they

raised us with. And particularly with my mom how she raised us. So for me, I really try to be a present parent. And sometimes that's hard, especially with the lives that we live is very hard to be present.

So if it's like, if I have to do something, I never more, I'm gone more than 24 hours ever.

Normally, I didn't leave Olympia until she was six or 24 hours. So that was, that may have been a little extreme, but that's who I am. And so for me, I show up every, as much as I can every single day for the, for the girls. Because I feel like, um, they mean the most to me and I feel like they need me and they, uh, they need to make sure, I want to raise my children. Yeah, I'm a member of person that's raising my kids. Yeah. And that's teaching them how I want them to live and how I want

“them to be. That's beautiful. So like me, you have two girls. Yes. And what are you going to copy you?”

Yeah. You're so inspiring to me. And three years apart. Way to go. How is that?

To, I always thought, I was going to have three boys. I don't know why. You know, I, I don't know.

I always thought I was a, I was a bit of a time boy when I was younger. I could see you with some. Yeah. I followed around my brother. I love boys. I, I thought they were funnier than girls. I've learned you guys, you have some qualities. As she looks at Steve again, that's a good part. So I always thought I was going to be the sports mom, the, you know, and then I have these two girls. And I am so grateful for my little women. And they are just amazing grown women now,

28 and 24 out in the world. And I can tell you, I have loved every second of mothering, every second. But it's just interesting, the same gender to girls. And I talked to my friends who have boys and their, like, boys are definitely different. You know, like, million Sasha could sit and color for

“hours. We could get on a plane. And I talk, mothers of boys, you all laugh at that, right?”

I mean, they sit and read and color and you can talk to them and there's no throwing anything. I don't think we had a lot of balls around the house. Then I go to my brother's house who have nephews and they would come to visit at the White House and they just walk in sweaty. You know, I mean, I was like, why are they wet? You know, you just got here and they come in damp and just throw cars and balls all on the first floor of the White House. And I'm like, oh, this is different.

But anyway, I digress. Your precious little ladies, how are they, how, how, how does it feel

being a mom to daughter? Yeah. I've, as you know, I've always wanted to be a mom. I've only one at

girls. I could have 10 girls I would be having. I grew up with four sisters. Yeah. So I was the fifth sister. I've never been around boys. Yeah. So when I got pregnant, I actually had a quick panic attack. I was so certain it was a girl. But when they took the blood to do the blood test, I was like, oh my god, I don't know what to do if I have a boy. I've never been around boys. And I really like, I was going crazy. I was like, I can't have a boy. So I remember, I'm not so I have no, I was like,

I don't know what to do. Um, yes. So that, that's all I know is girls. And I just always want to grow. I've always been growing up. I always were dresses. I was that girl with the princess. Yes, your twirl. The twirl, you know, two twos. Like, that was all me. And so yeah, I love dress and

“I'm up. They're actually right now. I think Olympia is wearing a mouland dress as we speak. Of course,”

because they're at Disney world. And so she must be in Milan. Yes. And I know the little one is wearing on a dress. Oh, okay. So I'm like, oh, can you go buy them Nord dresses? Please. So I'm like, all that. I'm just, yeah. So my older daughter is very much like me, like, very much, like, girly, girly girl. And my younger daughter is somewhat, like, someone like me, always describe her as like a show where princess dress with tennis shoes. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

It's a bunch of plays with cars. Yeah. Okay. It's like, my, my, one of my sisters play with cars a lot. So she reminds me a little bit of her. She loves hot wheels. But she'll wear, she'll wear hot wheels while wearing like a Rapunzel dress. It's like, where's my daughter dress? Yeah. I mean, the court that I love it. And Olympia and I have never been as Olympia's five years older than

really fun. So Olympia and I are always playing with Adira's toys. Like, oh, let me go.

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“only on Netflix. How do you balance your parenting philosophy with your husband?”

How are you? What did you learn from him about parenting? So one thing he loves, he's a... and this is a positive word now. Okay, yes. He's a nerd. Okay, yes, it is. Very much. Very positive. Especially a nerd with a job. Yes. We love nerds. Love nerds. Nerds pay the bills. So he's all about explaining.

He'll like tell Olympia like, okay, so you know, why do you think you're learning about this? And then he goes into this whole reason as to why. And I'm like, "Hmm, that's good." So I like how he... I like how there's like a balance. Yeah. Like he like kind of gives her the reasons and he understands, like, you know, she'll ask a question about something he'll get he'll go in a deep version about it. But it's nice because then she gets... she gets that knowledge

and she really, you know, really gets it. And then for me, my philosophy is like, "What do you

“like to do? How are we going to do this together?" You know, it's super important not to”

ever diminish what he's doing as the man of the house. You want to make sure that you're always

uplifting him. That's my philosophy. So I always meant to make sure that we're on the same page. Yeah. And also with things that I want, like I want the kids to, you know, do this to whatever sport or to go to this school or, you know, just coming together for those decisions. So yeah, so I feel like we work very well in that part because that's great. It's great. I always say, you know, you can have one kid and, you know, swear you're a good parent.

It's like, "I got this. Look at me. I know all the things." And then you have the other one. And, you know, they just kids, babies, they come into this world as their own individual cells, truly. And that, it's a beautiful thing. I mean, like snowflakes, really. But it can be a challenge if you think that, you know, one size fits all in parenting. Yeah. As a parent, when I make a mistake,

“I make sure I say sorry. Absolutely. Because it is important for, first of all, to have that”

humility and to teach my daughter's humility. And second of all, I never went them to think that

I can't, a mom can't apologize to someone differently. So, I've been wrong a few times with Olympia and I am the first to tell you you're right. I didn't do that right. I'm sorry. And so, it's just, I think it's a good practice for me and hopefully maybe someone else, but I feel like it's a very good thing to do. I totally agree. And I've apologized a lot. Raising kids in the public eye, you know, I mean, we both have done it. It is, it just makes

the process 10 times more unnerving because, you know, you worry that your kids can't make mistakes, because everybody, it's going to be on page 6, you know. I mean, we would have those kind of conversations

“about, you know, you know, you have to, our girls had to learn to think like comes people,”

like comes directors, and at a very young age, and it served them well today. I mean, they are very poised, very mature, but it's a lot of pressure that they didn't ask for. How are you approaching the public nature of who you are, how you live, how are you thinking about that

at this stage in the girls' life? So that's one thing that I try to do, and I will never as public

as you. I can't imagine a scrutiny that you guys had to go through, especially the children every single day. So for me, I try to, I just try to make sure that my children are very normal. I pretty much live under a rock. I live in a very small town in Florida, where I can go anywhere, and it's normal because Michael Jordan also lives there. Yeah. Sort of like, everybody's like, we all want to go to this magical place, where you can run into the arena in

Michael at the 7/11. And Tiger, everyone lives in the city, I'm bold where that is, because everybody's going to be there. And so everyone is normal, but it was really important for me not to normal itch, just a lot of athletes live in this town really. I don't know why, I like, wow. But it's great because it's been normalized as we've been all living in there for so many years, but it works. And so for me, I try so hard to make sure the Olympia is just like everyone else.

Like, she's not seen as anyone special. I don't tell that she's special. I never told her I played tennis. You know, when she started reading, she saw me and she has questions. It's like,

racket down. You said one time in kindergarten, she's like, Mom, why are you in my book?

So eventually she's like, but I don't live that life where you know, I think that I, you know, and this is funny, but it's also very true. We also have friends that are very famous. So when we hang out with them, they seem extremely normal. Yes. So we go to Michael's house or

“Tiger's house, it's like, okay, you're good. Yeah. So it is very average for us. And so that's what I”

want them to do. I don't want them to ever feel like, because I don't want them to feel they're better than anyone else or they have an advantage, because that just, we don't need that anymore. And the system that we live in, we just need some kids that are just as normals you can be. So that's what I do. And if they want to grow up and they want to be a great athlete or they want to be a great programmer, then they have every right to do that. And yeah, they're going to

have an advantage, because of the life that I've lived, you know, in their life, my husband lived, sure they're still going to have an advantage, but they're still going to have to work hard to do there and to make any goal that they want to make. And so for me, it's super important that they understand that and that they don't feel like they're better than anyone else. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I hear that you served as the class for more. Yeah. I was room mom, because I love my daughter.

Oh, I'm upset. What, when was this recently? You know, since she was in second grade. Uh-huh.

Yeah. Tell us about that. Serena on the text. Everyone, you bring cookies. That was me. That was you. That was a man. It was so fun because I got to go to the school every day or my one. I could be in the classroom. Yeah. One time I was there for the spelling bee and I was like, you know, just, you know, pretending to work on the library, but that was watching all the kids spelled and poor. Limpia got her word wrong and I was like, uh, poor kid. She did her best though,

but she tried, but I didn't say anything. I pretended I didn't hear because I didn't want her to feel the pressure that I was there. And it was so fun. I got to help organize all the,

I love organizing. So I got to organize all the food for the teacher appreciation day and the

the field, the field trips and everything. Okay. So your, your daughter doesn't know who you are, but those teachers and parents know who you are. You know what? They're really cool about it. Like, no, they're really, really, they're really cool. I feel like they don't, you know, they don't treat anyone any different throughout the whole school. Yeah. And you know,

“and the school is also very tough. So you have to really be on it and go show up every day.”

And so it's, it's really nice. Well, we are running out of time and I know it's been short, but I want to give us time to wrap it up. And I would love for you to share with this room of moms, especially moms of athletes who have made a level of sacrifice. What advice do you have? What parting words of wisdom? Do you think you can share? I know that's heavy. Yeah, I don't know about it, but I just feel like you guys have done it. You've already,

you've made it. I mean, to be in this room is a super win already. I would say I have more appreciation. I'm sure you hear from your kids, but if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be on these teams. And you know what? I just, as someone that had my mom supporting me, you know, it is, I feel so grateful to my mom every single day to give me this opportunity to believe in me, to even when things were rough and things were down, to show up every day for me,

you know, to be there when I didn't want to be there, to tell me to go and extra day when I didn't

“want to go. So I think all your sons can agree that they're super grateful for what you guys have”

done for them because without you, they wouldn't be there. So I think you guys deserve a huge pad on the back, a huge round of applause. And so, so happy for the opportunity that you've given your children. Yeah. And what's next for Serena in life that you want to share? Not trying to break, hey, who's just, girl, I'm just like, how are you doing? And what's going on? You got so much on your play. What are you most excited about next? I'm most excited about, well, getting back to my

girls. Yes. And I don't know, I feel like there's a, I have a lot of opportunities and just deciding

good way to absolutely say nothing. You sure are great. You look great.

“Yes. You look great. Serena, thank you. Thank you for taking the time. It was so fun. Thank you.”

Yeah, thank you for your honesty, your openness. Keep doing that. The world needs this information.

They need to see their idols being normal, human beings in the world being grounded and protective

“of the people that they love. I am always proud of you. I'm happy to share this stage with you”

and hopefully we'll do something against you. Yes. Believe me, the pleasure was mine. I had so much fun. Thank you all for having me. Can we take a selfie before we go? We can. I just want to say thank you to all the moms on behalf of this mom here. Thank you for your sacrifice for your, your love,

for, you know, setting the foundation for the next generation. It is the most important work

“that a person can do in life. I think is to raise a decent human being because I think that if”

everybody took that job as seriously as everybody in that this room, you know, we'd solve a lot of problems that way, just by taking care of the people we choose to bring into this world. So we are grateful to you all.