AMBITIOUS Serena Williams wanted to return to tennis training just DAYS after giving birth.
The American superstar, 38, was so eager to play again despite impending motherhood that she was prepared to defy doctors orders.
However, any comeback was delayed as she almost died from serious complications while giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September 2017.
The stunning revelation has been made by her coach Patrick Mouratoglou in an exclusive Eurosport documentary.
The Frenchman said: I remember I was at Wimbledon and she was at home heavily-pregnant.
She called me and said: Can you please organise for me a hitting partner in September?
I just said: Serena, you are giving birth in September.
And she just said: Yes, when I deliver I want to start my training.
I replied that the doctors are not going to let her and she just said: Do not underestimate me!
She thinks everything is possible for her. I have to say, knowing her much better now, that most of the time it is true.
She is an icon all over the world, and thanks to her, black people have access to a sport that was very much a white sport and now its a sport for everyone.
Williams won the Auckland Classic at the weekend her first WTA event as a mum.
And the world No9 will start as the favourite for the Australian Open, which starts on Monday in Melbourne.
The Florida-based star is aiming to win a 24th singles Slam, which would tie her at the top of the record books with Australian Margaret Court.
Mouratoglou, 49, said: Id describe Serena as the strongest person Ive ever met.
She thinks she can achieve anything sometimes I think it can hurt her, but most of all that is what makes her what she is.
*Insider: Patrick Mouratoglou premieres on Wednesday on Eurosport at 10.30am. Catch-up on Eurosport Player. All courts and Australian Open matches are live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player.
