Serena Williams is the most successful tennis player outside of her sport. The 23-time Slam champion has contributed a lot to the growth of women’s tennis in the new millennium, but her hopes of winning another Major decrease more and more.
Earning almost $29 million in prize money and endorsements, Williams was the highest paid female athlete in 2016. She repeated this feat in 2017 when she was the only woman on Forbes’ list of the 100 highest paid athletes with $27 million in prize money and endorsements.
American film director Spike Lee shows up at the US Open every year, he sits in the Arthur Ashe stadium of Flushing Meadows and always cheers for Serena. The two renowned personalities of the USA are good friends they have been in touch with each other for a long-time now.
“I’ve known Spike for many years. We always have dinner. He has a house down the street from mine in Palm Beach,” Serena Williams once said. “I sometimes go over there and we eat dinner. We play tennis together.
He’s super intense. He wants me to play as hard as I can. I’m like, Spike, are you sure? I mean, C’mon. He’s such a great person. I love his kids. We all just get along. He loves debates. Whenever we’re at dinner, he’s looking for a debate.
You have to join in and pick aside. I always try to pick the opposite side so it can just be a debate. It’s fun though. I love it. That’s what I wanna do and that’s what I want to be remembered for. It’s not what I do out here, but how I can inspire people off the court” – the former World number 1 added.
How Long Have Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian Been Together?–All You Need To Know–
Tennis star, Serena Williams, married Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian, in 2017 after a whirlwind romance.
The pair met in May 2015, inside a hotel in Rome. Ohanian sat next to Williams, and her friend, while she was eating dinner and struck up a conversation. At the time, Williams had never heard of the entrepreneur and Ohanian had never seen the athlete play tennis.
The couple kept their relationship private, for some time. However, Ohanian did attend the US Open in 2015 to watch Williams play.
Williams didn’t confirm or deny her romance until November 2016, when she shared a photo of her and Ohanian to her Instagram.
About a month later, Ohanian proposed in Rome, at the same hotel they met.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Ohanian admitted to always wanting to marry his future bride.
‘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,’ he said.
And according to an insider, Ohanian made Williams very happy.
Her friends have ‘never seen Serena this happy before with a man. It sounds cheesy, but it was love at first sight,’ the source told E! News.
‘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,’ the source added.
In early 2017, Williams announced she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
She took to Instagram to share a picture of her growing belly with the caption:
‘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. I can’t wait for you to join the players box next year. But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you…. once again today. On @alexisohanian bday. From the world’s oldest number one to the world’s youngest number one. -Your Mommy.’
In September 2017, Williams and her husband welcomed a baby girl named, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
In November, the pair tied the knot surrounded by several A-listers.
The wedding was inspired by ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and held in the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Venus Williams were only some of several celebrities in attendance.
Since starting this new chapter of her life, Williams has continued her tennis career while also raising her baby. Ohanian has continued to work in the startup realm. And together, the pair is worth an estimated $189 million.
