Tennis Legend’s Journey Through Romance Led to Her Perfect Match

Serena Williams (Image via Getty)

Serena Williams, the tennis icon who dominated courts worldwide with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, has fans not only with her athletic prowess but also with her intriguing love life. The 43-year-old champion has navigated several high-profile relationships before finding her soulmate in Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Their love story, which began in Rome in 2015, has become one of sports’ most celebrated romances, proving that sometimes the most unexpected encounters lead to lasting happiness.

Williams’ dating history includes relationships with notable figures from entertainment and sports, including rapper Drake, director Brett Ratner, and musician Common. However, her relationship with Ohanian stands apart as a testament to genuine connection and shared values. The couple’s journey from a chance meeting at a Roman hotel to marriage and parenthood showcases how love can flourish when two people truly understand and support each other’s dreams.

Today, Williams is happily married to Ohanian, and together they’ve built a beautiful family with two daughters: Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., born in 2017, and Adira River Ohanian, born in 2023. Their relationship demonstrates that behind every champion is often a partner who provides unwavering support, understanding, and love. Williams’ transformation from tennis superstar to devoted wife and mother illustrates how finding the right person can complete even the most accomplished individual’s life journey.

Serena Williams’ Current Relationship Status

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian (Image via Getty)

Serena Williams is currently married to Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur. The couple has been together since 2015 and married in November 2017 in a lavish ceremony in New Orleans. Their relationship represents a perfect blend of athletic excellence and technological innovation, with Ohanian being described as “basically the guy I’ve always told my friends to look for” by Williams herself.

Ohanian, now 41, has proven to be the ideal partner for Williams, supporting her career while building his own successful ventures. The couple shares two daughters and continues to be one of the most admired power couples in sports and technology. Williams has frequently praised Ohanian for putting her needs first and being “extremely smart but not a know-it-all.”

The Love Story: How Serena Met Alexis Ohanian

The couple’s love story began in May 2015 at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome, where both were staying for different reasons. Williams was preparing for the Italian Open, while Ohanian was in town for a tech conference. Their first encounter was purely coincidental – Williams invited Ohanian to join her for breakfast after noticing him near the hotel pool.

Their first official date took place in Paris shortly after their Rome meeting, when Williams invited Ohanian to watch her play at the French Open. To her surprise, he accepted the invitation and flew to Paris for the weekend, marking the beginning of their serious relationship. The date itself was quite intense, with Williams bringing her assistant and agent Jill Smoller along, who proceeded to interrogate Ohanian for two hours.

The proposal was equally romantic and meaningful. In December 2016, Ohanian took Williams back to the exact table at the Cavalieri Hotel where they first met. Williams announced their engagement on Reddit with a beautiful poem: “I came home. A little late. Someone had a bag packed for me. And a carriage waited. Destination: Rome. To escort me to my very own ‘charming.’ Back to where our stars first collided. And now it was full circle. At the same table we first met by chance. But by choice. Down on knee. He said 4 words. And I said yes.”

What Won Serena’s Heart

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian (Image via Getty)

The key to winning Williams’ heart wasn’t typical romantic gestures – it was Ohanian’s genuine passion for Marvel comics and superhero lore. During their first dinner together, Ohanian began discussing Iron Man and Marvel, which immediately captured Williams’ attention. “That’s the way to my heart,” Williams revealed in her ESPN+ docuseries “In The Arena.”

Ohanian’s knowledge wasn’t superficial either. He emphasized that “This wasn’t just a superficial, ‘Hey, I’ve watched a few movies.’ This is, ‘I have deeply studied the text, and I have strong opinions about this lore.’” This shared passion for superhero stories created an instant bond between them, showing that sometimes the most unexpected common interests can spark lasting love.

Additionally, Ohanian’s honesty during their first meeting impressed Williams. When questioned about his relationship status, he openly discussed his recent breakup, which helped Williams see him as genuine rather than intimidating. This transparency laid the foundation for their trusting relationship.

Serena Williams’ Dating History Before Alexis

Before finding happiness with Ohanian, Williams had several notable relationships that kept her in the public eye. Her most publicized relationship was with Canadian rapper Drake, which lasted on and off from 2011 to 2015. The relationship garnered significant media attention due to both celebrities’ high profiles, and interestingly, Williams made headlines in 2025 when she danced onstage with Kendrick Lamar to his Drake diss track “Not Like Us” during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Williams also dated film director Brett Ratner from 2004 to 2006. Their relationship ended reportedly due to Ratner’s partying lifestyle conflicting with his support for Williams’ tennis career. She was also linked to rapper Common from 2007 to 2011, and had a rumored relationship with her former tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou from 2012 to 2015.

Other notable relationships included NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010, actor Hosea Chanchez in 2008, and several other athletes and entertainers throughout the 2000s. These relationships, while significant at the time, pale in comparison to the depth and stability she found with Ohanian.

Family Life and Future Together

Serena Williams (Image via Getty)

Williams and Ohanian’s marriage has produced two beautiful daughters who have become the center of their world. Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., born in September 2017, is now 7 years old, while their younger daughter Adira River Ohanian was born in August 2023 and is currently 19 months old.

The family frequently appears together at public events, including the 2024 ESPY Awards, where they showcased their strong family bond. Williams has successfully transitioned from her tennis career to focusing on motherhood and her various business ventures, with Ohanian’s unwavering support throughout this journey.

Their relationship continues to thrive as they approach their eighth wedding anniversary in 2025. Williams has described their current phase as feeling “like a honeymoon period again,” indicating that their love continues to grow stronger with time. The couple’s ability to balance their successful careers with family life serves as an inspiration to many, proving that with the right partner, it’s possible to have both professional success and personal fulfillment.