Why We’re All Envious of Serena Williams’ Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

This text is about Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and managing partner at Initialized Capital, and his relationship with his wife, tennis superstar Serena Williams. They have a young daughter together, and due to their busy schedules, they prioritize spending quality time together as a family. Ohanian shares that they map out their schedules at the start of each year to ensure they don’t go more than a week without seeing each other and use technology like Google Calendar to stay connected. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting his partner’s career goals and being present for their family on weekends. Overall, it paints a picture of a modern, supportive, and loving relationship between two successful individuals.


I can’t forget the thrill I felt when Alexis Ohanian announced his heartfelt tribute to wife Serena Williams, decorating Palm Springs with billboards welcoming her back to tennis after a challenging maternity leave. And who could blame him for planning an unexpected getaway to Venice, Italy, upon hearing her casual mention of craving some authentic pasta?

At the 2019 U.S. Open, he playfully taunted Maria Sharapova during their match, revealing his D.A.R.E. t-shirt as a witty jab. This shirt reference was connected to Sharapova’s two-year suspension for doping violations. However, it was only shown when it became apparent that Williams had easily won the game.

Get yourself a man who can be petty on your behalf. 

It’s important to note that dating someone as accomplished as the Reddit cofounder might be a challenging feat for most. The University of Virginia alum, who is renowned for his unwavering support, would probably humbly remind us all that he was the one who achieved such great feats. He’s married to the world’s greatest tennis player and the amazing mother of their 6-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, who is already showing promise in becoming a future tennis champion. Their family is completed by their 11-month-old daughter, Adira River Ohanian.

As an avid explorer of human connections, I strongly believe that the essence of relationships lies in the pursuit of a bond where both parties feel they are gaining more than they give.

Ohanian will celebrate his seventh wedding anniversary with Williams, who has more major singles titles in tennis than any other player at her current age of 42. Thanks to the wisdom imparted by his parents, Ohanian, also 41, enters their relationship believing he brings a valuable advantage – what he refers to as “the secret weapon for a successful partnership.”

The successful businessman’s secret to being romantic was surprisingly not about expensive vacations or public declarations of affection. When interviewed by Glamour magazine about being the brave one who takes bold actions in relationships, he shared a more straightforward perspective. In an essay published on Valentine’s Day in 2019, he emphasized the importance of simply being present and offering support as the true keys to romance.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

Two weeks into their whirlwind romance in Ireland, Anke and Chris Ohanian made the bold decision to start a new life together. My mom, leaving her comfort zone in Germany behind, joined my father in America. It wasn’t an easy transition, but they were truly dedicated partners. By observing them closely, I came to understand the importance of giving support, making compromises without losing sight of oneself, and being present in meaningful ways.

As an avid fan and someone who grew up in New York City, I couldn’t believe my luck when I encountered Ohanian at the Cavalieri hotel in Rome. Although it would have been beneficial if I had witnessed even a single moment of tennis in my existence before this chance encounter with Williams.

Williams attended the Italian Open for business reasons prior to their encounter in May 2015. On the other hand, Ohanian was reportedly in town for the Festival of Media Global conference. However, it seemed that he had spent the night before with Kristen Wiig instead, which left him somewhat disorganized when he claimed the table nearby where Williams, her agent, and her friend were sitting, intending to reserve it for other members of her team.

Williams and her team were irritated; Ohanian was unaware as he put on his headphones, preparing to focus on his work.

“When this large man sat down at the table next to us, I was taken aback and thought to myself, ‘Why him of all people, among all these available seats?'” – Williams’ recollection to Vanity Fair in August 2017. Her business partner attempted to make him leave by mentioning a rat, but the tennis champion opted for a direct approach.

I was desperately trying to encourage him to leave the area, but he seemed unwilling. He glanced at us with a quizzical expression and asked, “Is there really a rat around here?” In response, I decided to change my approach and explained, “We’re just not going to use that table of yours.”

Reader, A meet-cute this was not.  

As an obsessed fan, I can’t help but recount the moment Ohanian captivated Serena Williams. He shared how in Brooklyn, his hometown, he’d frequently encounter rats. Intrigued, Williams invited him to join them. It was then that my heart skipped a beat, realizing I was in the presence of none other than the legendary Serena Williams herself.

He confessed to Vanity Fair that he had never before seen a tennis match, either on TV or in person. The game held no interest for him whatsoever. Even if ESPN was broadcasting tennis news, his attention would wander. His lack of regard for tennis was genuine.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

Ohanian’s statement about attending the tech conference to speak due to Reddit’s popularity was acceptable. In response, Williams, who was acquainted with the networking platform, mentioned that she had recently explored it that very morning.

“‘Oh, were you? What do you like about it?'” he recalled asking. 

Welllllll

I, Williams, chose to be open and honest during our conversation, which touched on various topics. In the course of our engaging discussion, I asked for her advice regarding setting up a personal website. However, it was clear that neither of us harbored romantic feelings towards each other, given Ohanian’s recent breakup from a long-term relationship.

Despite being invited by someone on Williams’ team to watch her match, which she won but wasn’t fully content with her performance, leaving her feeling unsatisfied, the subpar showing stayed with Williams for weeks as she prepared for the French Open. In an attempt to improve upon that experience, she decided to bring Ohanian along with her.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

Williams invited Ohanian to France through a text message, implying that he would get to witness her at her finest. Ohanian agreed, believing the proposition was more of a jest than a genuine invitation.

He shared with Vanity Fair his perspective: “Despite Serena Williams cancelling our plans and us not meeting in Paris, I’m still going to enjoy an extraordinary experience in the city. And I’ll have an even more intriguing tale to share with my longtime friends when I tell them, ‘Yeah, I went to Paris for a weekend. Unfortunately, Serena couldn’t make it, but I ended up having a fantastic time with other friends.'”

Williams didn’t dismiss him; instead, they had an enjoyable first date after the match, strolling through the streets of Paris for six hours. They purchased sweets at La Ménagerie in Jardin des Plantes and passed by some renowned tourist attractions around the world. It was a relaxed and enjoyable experience for both.

A world-class athlete and a tech giant might seem an unlikely duo, but their partnership surprisingly thrives. The fiery passion of Williams contrasts beautifully with Ohanian’s composed demeanor.

With an unwavering dedication to excelling in their respective fields, they have taken the time to learn about each other’s passions. Currently, Williams serves on the board of Silicon Valley company SurveyMonkey, while Ohanian has become a fervent supporter of tennis.

In an interview with Vogue in 2017, I shared that I possess a high level of intelligence yet avoid coming off as a know-it-all. My curiosity drives me to continuously seek knowledge on unfamiliar topics. Personally, being a Jehovah’s Witness holds significant importance in my life, but I have yet to fully engage with its practices. On the other hand, Alexis didn’t grow up attending any church, but he is open-minded and even takes the initiative. He prioritizes my needs above his own.

In December 2016, at the very same place in Rome where they initially crossed paths, he made his proposal, accompanied by a plastic rat on the table. Yet, he took things up a notch when Olympia joined him in September of the following year.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

In my experience as a loving husband, my perspective on being present and engaged in our relationship reached a deeper level upon the arrival of our daughter, Olympia. I was fortunate enough to utilize 16 weeks of paid leave from Reddit, which proved to be an indispensable choice for me. As a founder, I didn’t have to concern myself with external opinions regarding my commitment to the company. Instead, I cherished the opportunity to invest time and energy into creating lasting memories with Olympia. Furthermore, being there for my wife during her recovery and helping us navigate through the challenges that came with her delivery was an incredibly rewarding experience. It brought us closer together as we built a new life filled with love and joy.

As an obsessed fan, I can’t help but admire Williams’ incredible strength and determination on the tennis court. But behind the scenes, her labor was a harrowing experience that tested her limits. Despite giving birth while seemingly invincible, she faced a life-threatening condition. Blood clots formed during delivery, one of which traveled to her lung, creating a pulmonary embolism – a potentially fatal situation.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

I strongly believe in the significance of researching the advantages of paternal leave for both the child’s cognitive and emotional growth, as well as for the couple. Regrettably, many fathers in this nation lack the opportunity to experience this privilege. Even when they do, societal stigmas may discourage them from utilizing it. In my opinion, taking leave represents a crucial way for me to be present and support my partner and family. I deeply valued every moment of the 16 weeks that I was granted the chance to enjoy.

Despite relinquishing his position on Reddit’s board, Ohanian advocated for a Black successor in public. Simultaneously, he acts as the cofounder and managing partner at San Francisco-based venture firm, Initialized Capital. Additionally, he has been instrumental in bringing a National Women’s Soccer League team to Los Angeles while nurturing his young family.

“Serena’s tennis commitments take her worldwide, while my job entails frequent travel – be it visiting entrepreneurs, attending conferences, or working from Initialized Capital’s headquarters in San Francisco,” Ohanian explained.

Serena and I carefully coordinate our annual plans to ensure we don’t go longer than a week without meeting. To make this easier, I introduced Google Calendar to her, allowing us constant access to each other’s schedules and facilitating spontaneous video calls when we’re apart, making the absence of FaceTime for even a day challenging after being separated for two weeks.

He recognizes that in most cases, adaptability is required from his professional life, an observation that doesn’t upset or undermine him.

According to studies, men are content with having successful wives – that is, until it impacts their own professional pursuits. Intriguingly, approximately half of men prioritize their careers above their spouses’. I’ve observed this trend firsthand through social media expressions.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

He’s unimpressed by that and quite content with his own achievements. With responsibility for managing vast financial accounts, it’s understandable to exude self-assurance. Yet, he takes great pride in acknowledging that his successful partner, Williams, during her tenure in sports, amassed numerous trophies consistently. This fact only adds to his sense of accomplishment.

In his observation, Ohanian pointed out that a man’s reaction to his partner’s achievements reveals more about him than the situation itself. If a man feels insecure and needs to earn more than his partner to boost his self-confidence, then there might be deeper underlying issues at play. Such a source of swagger may not be authentic.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that as follows: I, like Ohanian, take pride in managing my professional commitments, raising my child, and supporting my extraordinarily gifted partner by cheering him on from the sidelines.

Why We're All Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

He shared with Glamour how he strives to be the most encouraging partner for Serena, discussing her professional aspirations and the steps she can take to achieve them. The majority of their conversations about her career originate from questions such as “What do you aim to accomplish?” or “Where do you see yourself?” This supportive dialogue extends beyond sports into all aspects of life. In turn, Serena provides him with similar encouragement and support for his own goals. While far from flawless, he makes it a priority to be present and committed to their partnership and family.

If that requirement involves establishing a base in Melbourne, Paris, or London, I’m open to that. His toddler, Olympia, is a frequent presence in Ohanian’s San Francisco office, with his partners having grown accustomed to her making appearances on camera.

On Sundays, they prefer to keep their phones off limits and focus on family bonding. Their tradition includes Williams’ special pancake recipe, adapted for his wheat allergy, and Olympia’s favorite raspberries. As he shared with Glamour, they enjoy leisurely activities at home like lounging around, playing hide-and-seek, or going for a pool swim. The value of their family time on those days surpasses any material possessions or extravagant experiences.

Though, uh, we’re not going to lie. Those sound pretty great, too. 

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2024-07-14 17:47