"Olympia isn't going to question everything Serena Williams has done": When husband Alexis Ohanian spoke on matching wife in making the world 'better'
Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, once shed light on his efforts to match his wife's contributions to making the world a better place for their daughter. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Olympia, in September 2017.
Ohanian has been championing the cause of women's sports since Olympia's birth. The Reddit co-founder made the decision to invest in a professional women's soccer team after seeing his daughter excitedly wearing an Alex Morgan jersey.
When Ohanian expressed an interest in seeing Olympia play for the national team, Serena Williams argued, "Not until she's paid what she's worth." This led the Ohanian to co-found Angel City FC alongside Wiliams, even making their daughter a part-owner of the team. He also established the venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, which has taken steps to promote positive change in women's sports.
In a 2020 interview with CNN, Alexis Ohanian reflected on witnessing firsthand how much his wife had to struggle, not just as a woman but as a Black woman, in her journey to success.
"I’ve had a front row seat to exactly how different it is and how much she’s toiled not only as a woman, but as a Black woman," he said.
Ohanian also emphasized that Olympia would always recognize her mother's efforts to make the world a better place for her. He disclosed his own aim to advocate for women's sports in order to make his mark alongside Serena Williams.
"Olympia is not going to question everything Serena has done to make this world better for Olympia. I want to sit at that dinner table when Olympia’s a little older and feel like I’ve done my part, too," he added.
Serena Williams on her daughters Olympia and Adira: "When the time comes, I’ll let them know the impact I have had on sport and beyond"
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian welcomed their second child, daughter Adira River in August 2023. While Adira is too young to grasp the 23-time Grand Slam champion's monumental accomplishments, her elder sister Olympia is aware that Williams is famous.
In a 2024 interview with the New York Times, the former World No. 1 admitted that it was "tricky" for her to explain her fame to Olympia.
"It’s tricky. Olympia told me the other day, 'You’re famous.' And I’m like: 'Oh, not really. I’m just your mom,'" Serena Williams said.
However, Williams disclosed that when she felt the time was right, she would have an in-depth conversation with her daughters to talk about her enormous impact on tennis and beyond.
"So I don’t know. I just feel like when the time comes — and, honestly, when it’s settled in for me too — I’ll definitely have that conversation with them, and I’ll let them know the potentially, the important, you know, the … I don’t want to be too presumptuous, but the impact I have had on sport and beyond," she added.
Serena Williams also disclosed that while she didn't want to "over-push" her daughters, she intended to provide them with the same "extra motivation" her father Richard had instilled in her, as it would help them excel.