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Serena Williams Honored Husband Alexis Ohanian’s Mother in the Most Heart-Warming Way at Their Wedding: ‘Made Us Feel More Connected’

Published 08/22/2022, 11:30 AM EDT

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Serena Williams’ illustrious career is going to be curtains soon. For over 25 years, the American icon has been performing at her very best. Williams has always given equal importance to her personal and professional life. Williams has always been thankful to the surrounding people.

2017 was quite the year for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian. Williams won the Australian Open while carrying their daughter. She gave birth in September, and the couple wed in November 2017. The former Number 1’s wedding date, was a great tribute to Alexis’ mother.

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Serena Williams’ wedding day gesture to Alexis’ mother

The date of their wedding was also memorable. Williams and Ohanian decided to get married on Alexis’ mother’s birthday, November 16. Notably, Ohanian’s mother passed away nine years ago.

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Ohanian learned heartbreakingly that his mother had been diagnosed with cancer in the first several months after founding Reddit. Anke Ohanian, the mother of Alexis, had an incurable brain tumor.

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Further, she addressed, “Obviously, we wish that she could be here for this, but choosing her birthday as our wedding date was a nice way of making sure she’s still involved and made us feel more connected to her on our day.

Williams revealed in an interview that Ohanian holds a special place in his heart for the city of New Orleans, which is why they decided to get married there. She said, “It’s his favorite city besides Brooklyn. It’s got a heavy European influence; it’s fun and has amazing food. He just loves the vibe.” 

Williams and Ohanian’s courtship

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In May 2015, the Reddit co-founder and tennis star had their first encounter over breakfast in Rome. The two were sitting next to one another, a chance meeting that eventually sparked their encounter.

Williams initiated contact by inviting Ohanian to join her and her friends for breakfast. This kind gesture was swiftly followed by an invitation to watch Ohanian participate at the 2015 French Open.

The player and internet entrepreneur went on their first official date before the game, touring Paris together. Ohanian supported her throughout the ensuing months, encouraging her from the stands during competitions. Interestingly, Ohanian wasn’t even a fan of tennis before he met Williams.

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The two have walked red carpets, traveled the world, and smiled ever since getting engaged in 2016, having their first child together in 2017, and getting married later that year. Since Williams has announced her retirement by the end of this year. She wants to expand her family and raise her daughter Olympia. 

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and Journalism from MIT ADT University, Pune. Being a sports enthusiast, she has a keen interest in tennis, cricket and esports.
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Edited by:

Vibhanshu Kumar