Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but she’s not just made an incredible career — she is also married to Alexis Ohanian, tech entrepreneur, investor. It’s a love story that started in Rome and has since evolved into a strong partnership, two gorgeous daughters and a life of shared goals.
From Innovator to Family Guy
Alexis Ohanian was born in 1983 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Growing up in an immigrant family, it drove him. He attended the University of Virginia, then co-founded Reddit with his college roommate Steve Huffman. The site, which was built in a matter of weeks, quickly emerged as one of the internet’s most powerful discussion platforms.
Alexis has since continued to expand his influence in the tech space over the years moving on to focus on investing and advocacy-based work. Although his professional accomplishments are quite impressive, his marriage to Serena Williams is what has the public so fascinated.
A Love Story Begun in Rome
The couple’s love story started in May 2015, when they were both guests at the same hotel in Rome. They struck up a conversation at breakfast, and in fairly short order, Serena invited Alexis to watch her at the Italian Open. Their bond grew quickly and their romance took them from Rome to Paris and beyond. By the close of 2016, Alexis then popped the question at the same hotels where they had initially met, therefore adding a poetic touch to the romance. The couple had their first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., in 2017, they married later that year in a starry ceremony in New Orleans.
A Growing Family
Serena and Alexis welcomed their second child in 2023, announcing her second pregnancy in spectacular fashion at the Met Gala. They welcomed a second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, later that year.
In addition to being a father and husband, Alexis has emerged as a vocal advocate for paid parental leave. After taking 16 weeks off after Olympia’s birth, he promoted legislative efforts to ensure new parents — especially fathers — would have enough time to bond with their children.
Serena’s Main Cheerleader
Alexis has always been Serena’s biggest cheerleader throughout her career. Whether celebrating her achievements or publicly praising her influence, he has been unfailingly admiring of his wife. Whether through attending her matches, sharing heartfelt tributes about her legacy, or cheering her on in new endeavors, his dedication is apparent.
Even after Serena stepped away from professional tennis, Alexis has been quick to note her impact outside the court. He has revealed before that, as successful as he has been in tech and business, he is quite content to simply refer to himself as “Serena’s husband” or “Olympia’s dad.”
A Modern Power Couple
As a pair, Serena and Alexis represent what a modern power couple looks like. As Serena moves into entrepreneurship and Alexis invests in the deep tech of the future, they support one another’s ambitions — while still prioritizing family. Their story, which is built on love, mutual respect, and shared values, is still one of the most inspiring in sports and business. Whether it’s on the tennis court, in the boardroom or at home with their kids, Serena and Alexis are an ever-evolving definition of partnership.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.