Taylor Swift and Serena Williams were both at the Super Bowl LIX, but here’s why they didn’t meet

During Super Bowl 59, Serena Williams balanced family time with celebrity encounters. She planned to get Taylor Swift’s autograph for her daughter, Olympia, but refrained due to the Chiefs’ loss and Swift’s emotional state. Williams also defended Swift against booing and clarified her halftime show appearance wasn’t a jab at Drake, showcasing her empathy and supportive nature.

Serena Williams and Taylor Swift — two of the biggest names in sports and entertainment — found their stories unexpectedly intertwined during Super Bowl 59. While the Kansas City Chiefs were locked in a rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles, with the latter emerging victorious 40-22, what unfolded off the field drew just as much attention. As Taylor Swift watched from the stands, cheering on her boyfriend Travis Kelce, Serena Williams made headlines with her presence and her heartfelt revelations in a recent Time interview.

Why Serena Williams didn’t rush to meet Taylor Swift during the Super Bowl LIX?

For Serena Williams, the night wasn’t just about her surprise cameo in Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show. It was also a family affair — an evening she hoped would create a magical moment for her daughter, Olympia. The tennis legend had planned to approach Taylor Swift’s suite with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their daughters to get an autograph. But witnessing the emotional turmoil Swift was going through as the Chiefs trailed, she chose empathy over fandom. “I totally get it,” Williams told Time, highlighting her understanding as both a mother and a fellow athlete.

“I’m such a mom. I was ready to go in here myself and be like, ‘Taylor, come get this girl,’” Williams said with a laugh, revealing just how much she had her heart set on the moment for Olympia. But with Kelce’s team facing a tough defeat, Williams decided it was best not to intrude. “It’s hard when your team is losing,” she added, echoing a sentiment any sports lover can relate to.
While the game didn’t go Kelce’s way, Swift faced more than just scoreboard disappointment. When her face appeared on the jumbotron, she was met with boos — a reaction that didn’t sit right with Williams. “Why would you boo her? That’s so mean. That’s just awful,” she said, defending Swift both in the interview and later on X (formerly Twitter), where she posted, “I love you @taylorswift13 don’t listen to those booo!!”

Williams’ appearance during Lamar’s performance also stirred online chatter. She was seen crip walking during the track “Not Like Us,” Lamar’s highly publicized diss at Drake — a rapper she was once rumored to have dated. However, Williams swiftly shut down any speculation. “Absolutely not,” she clarified when asked if her cameo was a jab at Drake. “I would never do that.”
Beyond the Super Bowl spectacle, Williams also shared a glimpse into her private world. Having married Ohanian in 2017 and now a mother of two, she spoke about their life together. “We’re so connected, we’re so in love, we’re just, like, trying to get our daughter Taylor Swift autographs. And nothing else.”
As a newly named member of Time’s Most Influential People list of 2025, Serena Williams continues to be more than just a sports icon — she’s a grounded, protective mother and a supportive friend. And when it comes to Serena Williams and Taylor Swift, their mutual respect — even from afar — is a reminder that even superstars experience life just like the rest of us.