A Full Breakdown of Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian's Relationship Timeline
On May 12, 2015, Serena Williams (41) had a chance encounter with Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian (40) during her trip to Rome. And within a year, the pair went from dating to exchanging vows at a star-studded wedding.
Since then, the power couple has been going strong for eight years, and according to Ohanian, it's all thanks to the fact that they continue to show up for one another. In an open letter about his marriage, published in Glamour, he wrote, "I think if you were to ask my wife, or many other people in relationships, it’s often the simpler things that are the most important. You have to show up. You have to be supportive."
The pair now share two daughters: 5-year-old Olympia, and their newborn, Adira. In celebration of their growing family, we're taking a closer look at Williams and Ohanian's relationship timeline, from their red carpet debut to their star-studded wedding.
2015. This was the first photo I took of my now wife; the same day I met her randomly at breakfast & she invited me to see her match in Rome. Please disregard the dated IG filter I put on it... pic.twitter.com/76nVDnw4sF
— Alexis Ohanian [e-1f9e0] (@alexisohanian) June 24, 2022
May 2015: The First Encounter
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Williams first met Ohanian in Rome, while she was participating in the 2015 Italian Open. At the time, they were staying at the same hotel, so Ohanian crossed paths with her while they were having breakfast. And when they sat together, they became fast friends.
On Twitter, Ohanian shared a pic from that day and wrote, "This was the first photo I took of my now wife; the same day I met her randomly at breakfast & she invited me to see her match in Rome."
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Williams revealed that she also invited him to the French Open. And during his visit, they spent six hours together Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Jardin des Plantes and more.
May 2015: The First Encounter
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Williams first met Ohanian in Rome, while she was participating in the 2015 Italian Open. At the time, they were staying at the same hotel, so Ohanian crossed paths with her while they were having breakfast. And when they sat together, they became fast friends.
On Twitter, Ohanian shared a pic from that day and wrote, "This was the first photo I took of my now wife; the same day I met her randomly at breakfast & she invited me to see her match in Rome."
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Williams revealed that she also invited him to the French Open. And during his visit, they spent six hours together Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Jardin des Plantes and more.
September 2015: A Match Made in Heaven
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It didn't take too long for Ohanian to show his support for Williams on social media. He posted a snap of the athlete during her match at the U.S. Open and wrote, "Come at the queen, you best not miss. #USOpen."
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August 2016: Alexis's Grand Debut (on Serena's IG Feed)
Not surprisingly, Williams continued to pop up on Ohanian's social feed, but it wasn't until 2016 that the tennis star posted about him on her IG page.
In the pic, the pair are seen posing amongst a large group of friends, and in the caption, Williams jokes that Ohanian is a "nerd." She wrote, "Flashback Friday. Our team the Kryptonians doing a team-building exercise. I love this pic because it shows our personalities."
November 2016: The Bear Necessities
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Although Williams is a Jehovah's Witness (meaning she doesn't celebrate most holidays), she made a rare exception for her partner in 2016. The athlete finally confirmed their relationship by sharing a festive Halloween pic of the pair wearing a bear-themed couples costume.
December 2016: The Proposal
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After about a year of dating, Ohanian flew Williams back to the hotel where they first met, and she was in for quite the surprise.
Ohanian had prepared a romantic table for two by the pool, complete with rose petals surrounding their seats. And when he finally popped the question, she said "yes."
After their engagement, Williams shared a heartfelt poem on a Reddit thread called "I said yes," detailing how Ohanian took her back to Rome. She wrote, "This time he made it not by chance, But by choice, Down on one knee, He said four words, and I said yes."
April 2017: A Bun in the Oven
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Shortly after their engagement, Serena found out she was pregnant. And as it turns out, she was in such disbelief that she took half a dozen pregnancy tests to make sure that she was pregnant. And all six were positive.
As she recalled the experience, she told Vanity Fair, “I did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally dropped. [I thought] 'Oh my God, this can’t be—I’ve got to play a tournament. How am I going to play the Australian Open? I had planned on winning in Wimbledon this year.”
Understandably, Williams withdrew from the competition due to her pregnancy. And in April, she made the announcement to her followers on Instagram. She wrote, “My Dearest Baby, You gave me the strength I didn't know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can't wait to meet you.”
May 2017: The Met Gala Debut
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Clint Spaulding/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images
Just a few months after they announced that they were expecting, the couple made their Met Gala debut. Williams stepped out with her baby bump and looked radiant in green, while Ohanian kept it simple with a black tux.
September 2017: And Baby Makes Three
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Williams and Ohanian welcomed their daughter, daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on September 1. And Olympia's initials, AO, are actually a subtle tribute to Serena's 2017 Australian Open win, which she achieved while she was pregnant with her daughter.
In his essay for Glamour magazine, Ohanian opened up about fatherhood. He said, "My understanding of showing up and being present for my wife was taken to a whole new level when Olympia was born. I was able to take 16 weeks of paid leave from Reddit, and it was one of the most important decisions I’ve made...It was perhaps even more meaningful to be there for my wife and to adjust to this new life we created together."
November 2017: Cue the Wedding Bells
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Two months after Olympia was born, Williams and Ohanian tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. Kim Kardashian, Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Eva Longoria are just a few celebrities who attended.
Williams stunned in a white gown from Alexander McQueen for the ceremony, then switched into two different Versace gowns for the reception.
February 2018: The Grand(est) Gesture
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We all know that Ohanian is no stranger to spoiling his wife with romantic gestures, but perhaps the most memorable was when he purchased four giant billboards in Palm Springs to show the world what a great mother she is. He revealed on Instagram that he designed them himself, and that it was his official way of welcoming her back to tennis.
"I will always try to show my wife how much I appreciate and support her," Ohanian wrote while reflecting on the grand gesture in Glamour. "As an entrepreneur, one of my big mantras is to surprise and delight. I guess I’ve applied that in some way to romance, and if I can think of a way to top myself, I’ll keep pulling out the stops."
May 2018: A Royal Affair
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Williams and Ohanian were practically glowing when they attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, whose friendship with Williams dates back to 2014.
November 2019: Two Years Down, Forever to Go
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On their two-year anniversary, Williams shared a sweet tribute to her husband by posting a throwback pic from their wedding day. She captioned the post, "2 years and counting.... @alexisohanian is still putting up with me."
Ohanian also marked the occasion with an IG tribute that read, "Celebrating 2 years with my ride or die @serenawilliams, always ready for the next black tie event...Or Netflix & Chill night in."
May 2020: Our New Favorite Cooking Show
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Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Williams and Ohanian spent a lot of time together at home. And lucky for fans, Ohanian shared rare footage of the couple making cinnamon rolls together. He sweetly wrote, "No one else I'd rather fight & makeup with while making measuring-tape-perfect cinnamon rolls. Glad I'm stubborn and refused to leave *my* table all those years ago @serenawilliams..."
March 2021: Serena's Candid Q&A
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Remember when Williams teamed up with Bumble? As part of the partnership, the online dating brand released a video of the athlete playing the "Question Game," where she answered a variety of questions about her life, career and romantic relationship.
When asked about her biggest dealbreaker in a relationship, she said, "Loyalty—well not having it, that is." And when asked about the most surprising thing she learned in marriage, she revealed, "Marriage is not bliss. But it can be if you work at it." *Takes notes*
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
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Theo Wargo/Getty Images
It's safe to say that the couple turned heads while attending the 2021 Met Gala. Williams channeled her inner superhero and donned a silver bodysuit by Gucci, complete with a furry pink-and-black cape. And Ohanian complemented the look with a black suit and silver bow tie.
August 2022: Serena's Big News
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On August 9, the 23-time Grand Slam champion shocked the world when she announced that she was officially retiring from tennis.
In her cover story for Vogue, Williams confirmed that she wanted to focus on her family. She shared a pic of the issue on Instagram and wrote, "There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness, do I enjoy tennis."
She added, "But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I'm gonna relish these next few weeks."
May 2023: Another Baby on Board
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Williams took a page out of Rihanna's playbook and announced her second pregnancy at one of the biggest events of the year: the annual Met Gala. The proud mom debuted her baby bump while walking the red carpet and even posted a few photos with a cheeky caption that read, “Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the three of us to the Met Gala.”
Since then, Williams has been sharing her best maternity looks, including her unforgettable green ensemble.
August 2023: And the Gender Is...
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On August 1, Williams uploaded a video called “The Big Reveal” to her personal YouTube channel, where she announced that her second baby will be—drumroll, please—a girl!
The couple had a gender reveal party with close friends and family, and of course, Ohanian went all out by using pink fireworks to reveal the baby's gender.
Prior to the big announcement, Williams said in the video, “Obviously I’m team pink. But I’m still a little nervous because I don't have any contingency plan if it turns out to be a boy.”
Looks like this tennis pro got her wish!
August 2023: Introducing Baby No. 2
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The 41-year-old tennis pro welcomed her second child, a baby girl named Adira, and Ohanian announced the news on his Instagram page on August 22.
He shared photos of their family of four and wrote, "I'm grateful to report our house is teaming with love: a happy & healthy newborn girl and happy & healthy mama. Feeling grateful."
