Relationships : Serena Williams slammed for saying she can't wait to give birth and be a 'real woman'

Serena Williams is facing a backlash, after saying that giving birth will make her a 'real woman'.

The 35-year-old, who is due to give birth to her first child with fiance Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, next month, has angered fans with the remarks made during an interview with Australian newspaper the Herald Sun. 

"I have so much respect for so many women [for giving birth],' Williams said. "I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It's going to be something incredibly impressive to go through."

Her comments have drawn criticism, with social media users accusing her of having a 'narrow' world view and questioning whether she thinks those who are unable to have children - or choose not to - are not "real women".

In the same interview, Williams said:  “I definitely am a feminist. I like to stick up for women and women’s rights. So many things happen and I just think, ‘Wow, why don’t we have a chance?’ If that makes me a feminist, I am proud to be one.”

She also admitted that watching birthing videos "makes it worse. Having a baby, nothing is guaranteed".

Williams announced she was pregnant via Snapchat in April. She is thought to have won the Australian Open - her 23rd grand slam title - in January when already pregnant. - The Telegraph