Serena Williams didn’t step out onto a tennis court recently, but she may have met her match in the realm of motherhood.
The tennis icon is a mother to two daughters, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., 8, and Adira Ohanian, 2, with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
Williams and the Reddit co-founder have spent nearly a decade crafting a life and a family together, all while juggling demanding careers. With several distinct personalities under one roof, maintaining discipline doesn’t always come easy.
‘We Blinked and She Grew Up:’ Serena Williams’ Daughter Olympia Pops Out Looking Shockingly Grown in New Photos — and Fans Are Spiraling
Williams recently spoke candidly about one of the toughest mommy moments she has faced with her eldest daughter, Olympia.
In a post on April 26, she told followers about a disciplinary action she had to take that left not one but two people in tears.
The 44-year-old wrote on X, “I told my daughter to go to bed. She did not therefore, she missed out on her sleep over. She cried. But what she did not know is I cried harder. I hate when she cries. Discipline sucks. But sometimes it’s important.”
One fan joked about the moment, saying, “So you both having a crying competition lol.”
Another person offered comforting words to the 23-time Grand Slam champion, writing, “It is one of the heaviest parts of being a parent. There is a special kind of heartbreak that comes from being the ‘villain’ in your child’s story, even when you know you’re guiding them toward adulthood.”
A third commenter wrote, “The greatest athlete of all time broken by a bedtime. You defeated every opponent on earth and a little girl in pajamas almost took you down… motherhood is humbling…”
A fourth remarked, “The hardest part of parenting is recognizing that love sometimes looks like discipline.” “You did the right thing! Discipline sucks but sometimes we must do what’s best for the kids!”
This isn’t Olympia’s first time having her disciplinary moments aired publicly.
In 2022, her grandmother, Oracene Price, had to deliver a stern, wordless glare—an unmistakable moment of guidance within the Black community.
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Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.