This is What’s Trending Today.
Earlier this year, many tennis fans were talking about the Australian Open finals. American tennis stars – and sisters – Serena and Venus Williams played each other in a so-called Grand Slam final for the first time since 2009.
Serena beat her older sister in two sets to win the Australian Open.
Little did we know, Williams was in her eighth week of pregnancy at the time.
This week, she posted a photo of herself wearing a yellow bathing suit on social media. On the photo she wrote “20 weeks.”
Fans immediately started talking and debating. Was Serena pregnant?
A spokeswoman later confirmed Williams’ pregnancy. She also confirmed that she would not play in tennis competitions for the rest of the year. The spokeswoman said Williams expects to return to tennis in 2018, however.
The baby is due sometime in the fall. Williams is set to marry internet businessman Alexis Ohanian.
Williams has not played since her win at the Australian Open. She reportedly had an injured knee.
The younger Williams sister holds the most-ever Grand Slam singles titles. Her win in Australia moved her ahead of Germany’s Steffi Graf.
Many people could not believe Williams was able to win a major tournament while pregnant. Comedian Trevor Noah joked Williams had an unfair advantage in the match against Venus; she was actually playing “doubles” tennis while her sister was playing “singles.”
A doctor told the BBC that being pregnant might have helped Williams in some ways. Some of the changes women go through in the first few weeks of pregnancy actually help improve physical performance, the expert said.
However, one fan on social media said she could barely get out of bed at that point in her pregnancy.
Another person joked Williams’ fetus is already ranked 200th in the world in tennis.
In other tennis news, Russian Maria Sharapova starts her comeback next week after a 15-month suspension. She had not been permitted to play after taking the illegal drug meldonium. She will return to competition at a tournament in Germany.
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press and Reuters. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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Words in This Story
fetus – n. a human being or animal in the later stages of development before it is born
title – n. the status or position of being the champion in a sport or other competition
advantage – n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others
comeback – n. a return to a former good position or condition
pregnancy – n. the condition of a woman or female animal that is going to have a baby or babies : the condition of a pregnant woman or female animal
