Just In! Serena Williams In Labour

Pregnant tennis superstar Serena Williams was in labor at a Florida clinic on Friday, US media reported, prompting an outpouring of goodwill messages for the charismatic former world number one.

Williams, who will turn 36 later this month, was admitted Wednesday to St Mary’s Medical Center, which shut down an entire floor to provide security for the megastar, the local CBS affiliate said.

The network also said the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion — who revealed she was pregnant in April — was induced overnight.

“We’re sending all our love and best wishes to @serenawilliams, who has reportedly gone into labor,” the US Tennis Association wrote on Twitter. Williams and her fiance, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, have said they plan to keep the sex of the baby a surprise until birth.

Williams has vowed to return to competitive tennis in January, to defend her Australian Open title, which she won while newly pregnant.