Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have been a real power couple for several years. She dominates the tennis court and he co-founded Reddit. Together, these two have kicked off a modern dynasty.
But how did this romance start, and what was their journey as a couple really like? Here is a closer look at the timeline of Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s relationship.
Meeting in May 2015
It all started on May 12, 2015. Williams was about to play at the Italian Open and Ohanian was sitting at a table that Williams and her friends were going to use for breakfast.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Williams said she tried and failed to “get him to move and get out of there.” When that didn’t work, Williams invited him to sit with her.
Apparently, Ohanian made quite an impression: Williams invited him to her match that evening, and a cheeky Ohanian wrote on Instagram that he “just became a tennis fan.”
Paris in September 2015
Several months later, Williams and Ohanian met again in Paris in September. Williams was getting ready to play the French Open, and Ohanian was happy to show his support. On Instagram, he wrote a simple message about Williams: “Come at the queen, you best not miss. #USOpen.”
Instagram official in August 2016
The two privately became a couple. And while Ohanian had dropped a few hints, Williams mostly kept quiet. But they made things social media official when Williams posted a photo of Ohanian to Instagram and playfully dubbed him a “nerd.”
Halloween couple in October 2016
Halloween is always a great opportunity for cute couples to dazzle in their costumes. And in 2016, this happy couple dressed in coordinated outfits that are almost too cute to believe.
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Popping the question in December 2016
Things came full circle for the couple in December 2016. That was when Ohanian proposed marriage to Williams in the same area where they first met: near the pool of the Cavalieri hotel in Rome.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ohanian opened up about his feelings. “I felt like a door had been opened to a person who made me want to be my best self… I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds.”
As for Williams, she wrote a poem about her own feelings on the platform Ohanian helped create: Reddit. “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,” Williams wrote on the Reddit channel r/isaidyes. “This time he made it not by chance / But by choice / Down on one knee / He said 4 words / And / r/isaidyes.”
The happiest couple of December 2016
Williams and Ohanian were deliriously happy after their engagement. A source close to the couple told E! News that they had “never seen Serena this happy with a man. It sounds cheesy, but it was love at first sight.”
Continuing, the source said, “They laugh non-stop and that really fuels their relationship. They are on the same page in life and are excited to start something great with each other.”
Pregnant and unstoppable in January 2017
It’s no secret that Williams is one of the best athletes in the world. And she proved it in a spectacular way when she won the Australian Open in January 2017.
Not only did Williams play her heart out, but she did so after finding out she was eight weeks pregnant. Instead of shocking her, this major news did not slow her down one bit.
Pregnancy announcement in April 2017
Williams let the world know about her pregnancy a few months later in April. She shared a Snapchat of her baby bump and the caption “20 weeks,” though she soon deleted the image.
Met Gala in May 2017
In May 2017, the couple kicked off what would become a tradition: attending the Met Gala. And Williams wasn’t afraid to show off her baby bump while rocking a beautiful green dress from Atelier Versace.
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Their daughter is born in September 2017
On September 1, 2017, the couple welcomed their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. into their family. On Instagram, Ohanian wrote “Welcome, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., we’re so happy to meet you” while dubbing their daughter “mama’s perfect little sidekick.”
Marriage in November 2017
Only 11 weeks after the birth of their daughter and 11 months after getting engaged, Williams and Ohanian got married at the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans. Their daughter attended the ceremony as well as major celebs like Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, and Eva Longoria.
Royal wedding in May 2018
Something that may come as a surprise is that Williams has been major friends with Meghan Markle for many years. Because of this, Williams and Ohanian attended the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Wedding anniversary in November 2018
The two quietly celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary in November 2018. On Instagram, Williams posted a cuddly picture along with the message “One year down a lifetime to go @alexisohanian.”
Meta Gala date night in May 2019
Business or pleasure? It was a little bit of both for the couple when they attended the Met Gala in May 2019. They enjoyed a fun date night, but as co-chair, Williams was also making sure the event ran smoothly.
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Two-year anniversary in November 2019
Williams and Ohanian celebrated their two-year anniversary with a bit of humor. On Instagram, Williams wrote, “2 years and counting…. is still putting up with me.”
A proud husband in January 2020
Ohanian frequently attends his wife’s tennis matches. In January 2020, Ohanian was at the Australian Open with a huge grin as he watched Williams play.
Father/daughter support in August 2020
Supporting Williams during her tennis matches soon became a family affair. Here, we can see daughter Olympia join Ohanian to support Williams at the Top Seed Open in August 2020.
A special wave in September 2020
Williams is very grateful for her family’s support during tennis matches. During the U.S. Open in September 2020, Williams waved to her daughter in the stands.
Time for a family photo in December 2020
This power couple loves to keep busy, but they still find the time for sweet photos. In December 2020, they posted this picture to Instagram with the caption “Business Dad life never stops. Though sometimes it pauses for a family photo. Trying to do the best I can for these two.”
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Adorably supportive husband in February 2021
While Ohanian typically supports Williams at her tennis matches, he really upped his own game during the Australian Open in February 2021. There, he wore a shirt with Williams on it that said “Greatest Female Athlete.” But “Female” was scribbled out, letting Ohanian tell the world that his wife is the greatest athlete of all.