Serena Williams: ‘I Was on My Death Bed’ After Mystery Illness
What was classified as a mystery illness contracted by Serena Williams is being reported as a pulmonary embolism for the tennis star. The four time Wimbledon champion is currently in England to play in Eastbourne’s Aegon International and Serena says she’s excited to be back because she claims she was literally “on her death bed.”
Unsure how the illness began, Serena believes it was initiated from a cut on her foot.
“To this day I don’t really know the full details of what happened,” she said. “I was with my nephew and my hitting partner and we were just leaving a restaurant. I was walking and just felt something. I kept walking and it was definitely glass there. There was a massive puddle of blood. I ended up fainting and needed stitches in both feet.”
The injury started out simple but became life-threatening.
“If it had been left two days later it could have been career-ending — or even worse. They told me I had several blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people die from that.”
Williams underwent surgery in February and is now back on her feet preparing for the rest of her career.
“This has given me a whole new perspective on life and my career — and not taking anything for granted,” she said. “I’m just taking one day at a time.”
