Serena has learned a lot since becoming a mother

Serena Williams, one of the most accomplished athletes of all time, has long credited her parents for shaping her into the champion she became.

But in recent years, as she’s embraced motherhood herself, she’s gained a deeper understanding of the unseen strength it took for her mother, Oracene Price, to raise and support her through it all.

Having recently welcomed her second child, Adira, with husband Alexis Ohanian, Serena has opened up about the emotional and physical demands of being a mom. In a candid social media post, she referred to motherhood as a “thankless full-time job,” describing the exhaustion and selflessness it often requires.

Olympia and Adira show mother Serena Williams the toughness of a new role that leaves her drained of energy | Marca

“Far too often being a mom is a thankless full time job, with no time or energy left to care for yourself or move at the end of the day. I’m gonna thank my mom tomorrow for all she did for me -the things seen and unseen,” Serena wrote on X.

Her words struck a chord with many parents, especially as she shared her intent to express gratitude to her own mother for the sacrifices that largely went unnoticed.

A champion raised by resilience

While Serena’s father, Richard Williams, is well-known for his role in developing the tennis prowess of both Serena and her sister Venus, Oracene’s influence was just as profound-though less publicized.

Serena has spoken about how her mother was the emotional backbone of the family, instilling resilience, values, and mental toughness. This has become clearer to her in motherhood, as she navigates the challenges of raising her daughters while reflecting on how her mom did it all while supporting their tennis careers.

Venus Williams has echoed similar sentiments, calling their mother the grounding force and moral compass of their journey. It’s a perspective Serena says she didn’t fully grasp until she became a mother herself-now seeing not only the visible efforts, but the emotional labor that motherhood demands.

Alexis Ohanian, too, has publicly reflected on the impact of his late mother, showing that both he and Serena are shaped by the legacy of strong, compassionate women.

As Serena continues her post-tennis chapter, she’s not only a global icon, but also a grateful daughter-finally seeing the full picture of what it meant to be raised by someone like Oracene Price.