Serena Williams reveals she had an emergency c-section with baby Alexis Olympia which led to life-threatening health scare and multiple surgeries after she developed blood clots in her lung

Serena Williams is revealing for the first time that she was forced to endure multiple surgeries in the days after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia.

The tennis star, 36, tells Vogue that the problems began after Alexis Olympia's heart rate started to drop during her delivery and it was decided that the best option would be to have Serena undergo an emergency c-section.

'That was an amazing feeling, and then everything went bad,' said Williams.

The day after the birth, Williams was experiencing a shortness of breath and told the staff that she was concerned that she had developed blood clots.

Williams, who had to stop taking her anticoagulant medications leading up the delivery, was right, and had indeed developed several clots in her lungs.

She was immediately given a drip, but when constant coughing from her pulmonary embolism opened up the scar from the c-section, her abdomen quickly filled with her now-thinned blood from the same drugs which were saving her life.

In the end, Williams had to have a filter inserted into a major vein to prevent any possible clots from entering her lungs, and was forced to go on bed rest for the next six weeks.

In the interview, she is quick to admit that being a mother had been a challenge for her, comparing it to her time on the court.

'Sometimes I get really down and feel like, Man, I can’t do this. It’s that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes. I guess that’s just who I am,' said Serena.

'No one talks about the low moments - the pressure you feel, the incredible letdown every time you hear the baby cry.'

She then added: '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.'

In addition to Alexis, Serena is also getting help from her mom Oracene, who said she is concerned about her daughter's work ethic.

'She’s always been that way, ever since she was a little girl. She’s going to need to learn to slow down. She’s responsible for another life now,' said Oracene, who is urging her daughter to be a strict parent.

'You should see how they travel with that baby. They pack everything! It’s a bit extravagant for me. But once she’s back on the tour, she’ll find a balance.'

That baby will be living as normal a life as possible according to both parents.

'She’s obviously going to have a very special life, but there are enough cautionary tales about kids who grow up in the spotlight,' said her father.