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Serena Williams says her daughter Olympia won't stop calling her 'Serena' - and she has to keep telling her to say 'mama' instead

Barnaby Lane   

Serena Williams says her daughter Olympia won't stop calling her 'Serena' - and she has to keep telling her to say 'mama' instead
Sports2 min read
  • Serena Williams says she keeps having to remind her three-year-old daughter Olympia that her name is "mama" not "Serena."
  • "It's really weird," said Williams. "I'm like, You can't say 'Serena,' you have to call me 'Mama.'"
  • Williams faces German Laura Siegemund in the first round of the Australian Open on February 8.

Serena Williams says she keeps having to remind her three-year-old daughter Olympia that her name is "mama" not "Serena."

"I know she knows I play tennis, and I know she knows my name," Serena told the WTA Tour when asked about her daughter, who watched her from the sidelines as she beat Daria Gavrilova in the first round of the Yarra Valley Classic on Monday.

"It's really weird. She'll be, like, Serena. How do you know my name is Serena? Or she'll see me on TV and either say 'Mama' or 'Serena.' I'm like, You can't say 'Serena,' you have to call me 'Mama.'

"It's really weird, I don't know what's going on in her little head. She knows something's up. People like ask for autographs or go, get super excited and she's like, They're here for Serena. So she knows something. I just don't know what."

Mama was due to play against Ashleigh Barty on Friday in the semi-final of the Yarra Valley Classic, however withdrew due to a right shoulder injury.

Barty was given a walkover into the final, where she will play either Garbine Muguruza or Marketa Vondrousova in the final.

"I'm really disappointed I can't finish out this Yarra Valley tournament," Williams said on Instagram after announcing her withdrawal.

"Going to take a day off to get my shoulder ready for the Australian Open."

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)

Williams has yet to win a Grand Slam since Olympia was born, but will be hoping to do so when the Australian Open kicks off on Monday, February 8.

Williams will face German Laura Siegemund in the first round, and should she win the tournament will take home her 24th Grand Slam trophy, equalling the record set by Australia's own Margaret Court.

If she does win, however, she'll probably forget where she puts the trophy.

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