Serena Williams has posted a bikini photo of herself six months after giving birth and highlighted the need for “self-love”.

The tennis legend posted a photo of herself on Monday in swimwear and holding her second daughter, Adira, who she gave birth to in August.

The 42-year-old American started the post’s caption by saying “loving yourself is essential”, adding that she loved that her body “is not picture perfect”.

“I find that I have to remind myself of that self-love through all different stages in my life,” she wrote.

“Right now I love that my body is not picture perfect. I love that I smell like milk – that milk sustains adiraohanian I love getting to know a new version of my body,” she continued.

Williams, who announced she would stop playing tennis in 2022, has been a vocal advocate for body positivity in the past.

She told British Vogue in 2020 that she grew up “without positive body image” and struggled to accept her physique.

“How amazing that my body has been able to give me the career that I’ve had, and I’m really thankful for it,” she added.

“I only wish I had been thankful sooner. It just all comes full circle when I look at my daughter.”

Williams, who’s married to Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, gave birth to their first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, in 2017.

She later opened up about how she was forced to undergo an emergency caesarean and have surgery for blood clots in her lungs during the birth.

She also revealed her struggle with postnatal depression, saying: “I think people have to talk about it more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy.

“I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying because I wanted to be perfect for her.”

Less than a year after her first birth, Williams made a Grand Slam appearance at the French Open.

Related posts:

Zendaya, Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford among presenters at this year’s Oscars First trailer revealed for latest Diana film starring Kristen Stewart Tom Cruise’s BMW stolen while he filmed new Mission: Impossible movie in Birmingham Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney go to first Wrexham game since becoming club’s owners Police recover bullet fired from gun Alec Baldwin used when he accidentally killed cinematographer ‘Our lives will never be the same’: Comedian Jethro dies after contracting COVID-19 Small music venues facing ‘permanent closure’ after ‘catastrophic’ drop in numbers David Baddiel announces death of his father, saying he will leave a ‘huge hole in my sky’ Little Simz, It’s A Sin and We Are Lady Parts scoop South Bank Sky Arts awards James Bond theme composer dies aged 94 Jeremy Renner says he’s home after snow plough crush on New Year’s Day Oxfam denies woman wearing ‘TERF’ badge in Pride promo video is JK Rowling