Serena Williams might make juggling her tennis career, motherhood and marriage look easy but it’s not—for her, it takes “communication and understanding.”
The 38-year-old tennis player is partnering with Pampers and her baby girl Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. to share the launch of a new song, “Pampers Wild Child Wiggle,” inspired by the daily dance parties that so many parents have with their little ones.
With this latest partnership, Pampers and Williams are celebrating the joy and fun in parenthood.
Williams, who recently made her big career comeback and won her first title since becoming a mother, spoke to E! News exclusively about her partnership with Pampers, her daughter Olympia’s most memorable milestones and the key to a happy and successful marriage with Alexis Ohanian.
Speaking about the reason behind the collaboration, Williams said she partnered with the brand because #WildChildWiggle program was the “perfect match.”
She added, “Children can learn from the songs, dance along and actually enjoy them. It’s like a kids’ song craze and everyone enjoys having that in their life and I obviously use Pampers 360, they’ve been amazing and especially amazing for me as a mom on-the-go.”
E!: Tell us about Olympia’s recent milestones?
Serena Williams: Everything at this phase is new. She is learning to put her own shoes on which is such a big milestone for me because before I had to do it and now I can tell her to do it herself. She is starting to talk, and they don’t really speak until they are 2. So she is starting to talk and is learning new words and phrases. She’s understanding phonetics and is repeating what we are saying—her first word was “momma”!
E!: How did that happen?
SW: I drove her every single day to say it, so “hello!” She also always hears me calling our dog Laura because she is an older dog. So that was her second word.
E!: How did Alexis feel being behind you and the dog with her first words?
SW: It was hard for Alexis, but he takes it in such great stride. She calls him momma from time to time, but she does also now call him “dadda” and he loves it.
E!: How do you and Alex keep connected while you are both so busy?
SW: It takes a lot of time and effort. He travels a lot. It’s about having great communication and understanding. And above all, it’s all about [being] loving. That’s the most important quality anytime, and it covers everything. We FaceTime a lot. We have prayer time at night. That’s really special. We always do that, we try not to miss it a lot.
E!: What do you want for 2020, for yourself and the world?
SW: For myself, to keep doing what I’m doing and to be a positive addition to the world. I want positivity. There is so much negativity in the world, I think people want more positivity. To say what I want for the world is hard. I only hope for the best.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka eye Fed Cup response after Australian Open disappointment
The Fed Cup gets underway on Friday with Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka in action for their countries.
After disappointment at the Australian Open, Serena Williams returns to action on Friday when she represents the United States in their Fed Cup tie with Latvia. Williams suffered a massive shock when she was beaten by Qiang Wang in the third round.
But the early exit has given Williams ample time to prepare for the women’s team event which has undergone a major overhaul.
The competition now culminates in a 12-nation week-long event in Budapest in April.
Last year’s winners France, runners-up Australia and hosts Hungary have already secured a place in the finals, while 11-time champions Czech Republic were given a wildcard.
The remaining eight teams will be decided by the qualifying ties which take place over the next two days.
The US, 18-time winners, have a strong team which includes Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and teen star Coco Gauff.
Following her win, Kenin is the number one player for the US and the 21-year-old is proud to be above Williams.
She said: “It’s a special feeling to be ahead of her; I’m just super excited.
“I can’t wait to compete, be on the same team with her in Fed Cup.”
Five-time winners Spain take on Naomi Osaka’s Japan in La Manga.
Last year, Osaka pulled out of a World Group II tie with Spain, which Japan went on to lose, and she is looking forward to getting revenge.
“I am really happy to be back,” said Osaka at Thursday’s draw which pitted her against world number 78 Sara Sorribes Tormo in Friday’s opener.
“It would be very special to reach the finals, everyone has worked hard to get this far.
“We lost last year but I hope I can make the difference. That’s why I am here. Even if it’s on clay and everyone knows I am a hardcourt player. I’m trying to learn it.”
Elsewhere, Great Britain face Slovakia in their qualifier without Jo Konta and Katie Boulter.
In the absence of Konta, Heather Watson will face Anna Schmiedlova in the opening singles rubber on Friday.
Harriet Dart will then take on Slovakia’s number one Viktoria Kuzmova in the second singles rubber, with debutants Naiktha Bains and Emma Raducanu named to face Viktoria Kuzmova and Magdalena Rybarikova.
