It was the year 2015. Serena Williams, who was the defending champion at the Italian Open, withdrew from the tournament before her third-round match against compatriot, Christina McHale due to a right elbow injury. It was a disappointing end to the American legend’s campaign as she was the top seed and a firm favorite to defend her title.

During the tournament, she was at a hotel in Rome where she came across Alexis Ohanian. Recently, on a talk show, the 23-time Grand Slam champion revealed the moment when she met her future husband.

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s first meeting

During ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, the former world number one revealed details about her first meeting with the Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian. Talking about this, she said, “So we were at this restaurant, and it was at the hotel we were staying at, and I was in Italy and this guy shows up and the whole place is empty. And this guy, like really tall, he comes with his computer and he plops down right next to us and he opens his computer and he starts typing.” 

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Further, she went on to add, “And I’m just like, ‘Why?’ I was so angry. I was like, ‘Why is this guy here?’ And so we tried to get rid of him.” 

How did the bond between Serena and Alexis become strong?

After their first meeting in Rome, Serena Williams invited Ohanian to the French Open that year. The latter accepted the invitation and flew to Paris for the weekend to watch her play. Subsequently, the two spent quality time together, walking around the city and talking for six hours.

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Later that year, he also attended Williams’ matches at the US Open. Further, in December 2016, Ohanian brought Williams to the place of their first meeting and proposed to her. The following year, the two were blessed with their first child, Olympia. A few months later, the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony.