She withdrew from the North American Premier Mandatory hard court events at the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open citing knee problems.
For Williams, who commands almost $29 million in salary and sponsorship earnings, becoming pregnant makes her all the more attractive to corporate sponsors, industry executives said. In February, the superstar singer posted a photo with her baby bump on Instagram to announce the news.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka gave birth to her first child in December and is expected to return to competition at the end of July.
Social media chimed in with congratulatory messages, sheer disbelief at her winning a Grand Slam when pregnant and even some jokes. She then won three grand slam titles as a mother.
According to ESPN, in an email on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Serena Williams confirmed that she is indeed expecting.
Bush Novak told Reuters that Serena Williams meant to sit out the remainder of the 2017 season and return next year.
MCD polls: As AAP wilts, Alka Lamba offers to quit as MLA
Kumar Rajesh, Fellow at Delhi University's Developing Countries Research Centre, described AAP's slide as "steep" but predictable. She was removed from the panel of its official spokespersons a year ago .
A spokesperson for the tennis player has confirmed that she and fiancé Alexis Ohanian are expecting their first child.
Kerber fell at the first hurdle at the Madrid and Rome Masters in 2016, as well as the French Open - leaving a glut of rankings points up for grabs if she can get her game together on clay this year. Arguably the greatest tennis player - male or female - based on achievements, quality of opponents, era and tenacity, Williams is only one Grand Slam win away from tying Australian Margaret Court's record 24.
While Williams won't play again this year, "she looks forward to returning in 2018", Bush Novak said. She later returned after the birth of her daughter and subsequently won at the Flushing Meadows, which was only the third tournament into her comeback.
She's not the oldest grand slam champion ever, though, with Ken Rosewall winning the men's title in Australia in 1972 at age 37.
"She's a diligent trainer and her attention to detail is there ... she has so many weapons, if she is in good condition and she has the passion to play, it's matter of execution".
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