Serena Willams Wins New Title “Mom,” Gives Birth To A Baby Girl

Tennis superstar Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl prompting an outpouring of delight from fellow professionals, celebrities and fans of the sporting icon.

Williams, who will turn 36 later this month, was admitted to the St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on Wednesday before going into labor overnight. There was no immediate confirmation of the birth from Williams' representatives.

Elder sister Venus Williams described herself as "super excited" after being informed of the reports concerning the baby as she walked on to the court for her third-round match at the US Open in New York. However she declined to take questions on the subject in her post-match press conference. "I'm definitely available to answer questions about tennis. That's all right now," Venus told reporters.

Earlier, a producer with the Florida-based WPBF television station cited hospital sources as saying Williams' daughter weighed in at six pounds and 13 ounces (3.09 kilograms). Williams, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, was swiftly greeted with an avalanche of congratulations from well-wishers. "Congrats Serena!!! So much joy for you!!!" Spanish star Rafa Nadal wrote on Twitter.

Pop diva Beyonce took to Instagram to send her message, posting a portrait of a pregnant Williams in a flowing white gown with the message: "Congratulations Serena!" Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou added on Twitter: "Congratulations @SerenaWilliams for your baby girl. I am so happy for you and I feel your emotion. Recover well & enjoy without limitation."

US tennis legend Chris Evert meanwhile chimed: "I'm so thrilled for her. And what a role model she's going to be for her daughter."

Media reports said 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena -- who revealed she was pregnant in April -- was induced overnight Thursday.

Other fans meanwhile wasted no time in anointing the tennis star's daughter as a future champion.

"Hello to the future queen of tennis," one post on Twitter read. "A future champion is born," added another.

Those sentiments sparked light-hearted alarm for Spanish star Garbine Muguruza. Told that Williams' baby is a girl, Muguruza replied: "Well, I hope she doesn't play tennis."