Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams ANGELA WEISS/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Serena Williams is a boss on the tennis courtroom, however on the subject of her relationship with Alexis Ohanian, she introduced in her squad to vet him.
Williams, 42, recalled throughout the newest episode of her ESPN+ docuseries, Within the Area, that she introduced her agent, Jill Smoller, and her then-assistant on her first date with Ohanian, 41, again in 2015.
“It was, like, two hours of interrogation and questions,” Ohanian remembered. “Do I’ve youngsters? Am I married?” (Williams and Ohanian met in Might 2015 whereas staying on the identical resort in Rome.)
The Reddit cofounder stated, “Nothing was off limits,” throughout the nerve-wracking dinner. “Serena, her assistant, her agent after which me on the opposite facet of the desk they usually simply bombarded me with questions,” Ohanian recalled.
Smoller, 59, had an analogous account of the primary date, telling the cameras, “I completely tried to get the guide on him instantly.”
Williams was completely on board along with her agent grilling her now-husband. “Jill requested him straight up like, ‘What’s up together with your girlfriend?’ And he’s like, ‘I don’t have a girlfriend,’” Williams recalled.
“Then he stated that he had damaged up along with her. It modified issues when he stated that as a result of I used to be like, ‘OK, now he’s not being this beast,” the 23-time Grand Slam winner stated with fun.
Legend! Serena Williams has overcome each impediment in her solution to turn into one of many best tennis gamers of all time. Maybe much more spectacular, she now balances perfecting her recreation with elevating her daughter, Olympia. Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in September 1981. She began taking part in tennis at age 4 after she, sister […]
Williams and Ohanian confirmed their preliminary textual content alternate when he requested to take her out for dinner throughout the docuseries. “OK, however I’m gonna deliver my agent and my assistant,” Williams replied on the time.
Whereas Ohanian was within the sizzling seat their complete first date, their connection was laborious to overlook. “Throughout dinner he began speaking about Iron Man and Marvel, and that’s the best way to my coronary heart,” Williams gushed.
Ohanian famous that his love of the superhero style “wasn’t simply […] superficial,” or that he had “watched a couple of films.” He defined that he has “deeply studied the textual content and I’ve sturdy opinions about this lore.”
Smoller, in the meantime, noticed the spark between her longtime consumer and Ohanian immediately. “It was so fascinating, as a result of they each liked the identical issues,” she stated. “I’m like, Jesus, she will lastly discuss to individuals who just like the issues she does.”
Ohanian teased that he “handed the take a look at” with each Williams agent and then-assistant and didn’t waste any time asking her out on a correct date — with none chaperones.
“The following day, I texted her, like, ‘Hey look, final evening was enjoyable, however I’m going to choose you up. We’re going to spend the day collectively in Paris and it’s simply going to be us,’” he stated.
The relaxation is historical past for the couple. Ohanian proposed to Williams in December 2016 on the identical resort the place they first crossed paths in Italy.
The pair welcomed their first daughter, Alexis “Olympia” Jr., in September 2017 and proceeded to wed that November. Williams gave delivery to her and Ohanian’s second daughter, Adira River, in August 2023.
“Olympia is at all times there for me. Earlier than having a second youngster, I at all times questioned, ‘How may I really like something as a lot as I really like @olympiaohanian?’” Williams wrote by way of Instagram on August 15, reflecting on her life as a mom of two. “Then Adira got here alongside … she is so particular, so enjoyable, so humorous, so loving, so candy and so sturdy!!!”
She gushed, “You see, God makes your coronary heart get larger. As a result of my love for Olympia has not dimmed. My coronary heart merely now’s doubled in measurement and I’ve a higher capability to like extra!”
