Is being a mother tougher than chasing a Grand Slam? If anyone can answer that, it’s Serena Williams — the 23-time major champion and mom of two. When her first daughter, Olympia, was born, Serena’s life took a dramatic turn.
Since then, she’s been redefining what motherhood looks like, balancing workouts, business ventures, and parenting with her signature determination. Reflecting on this phase of life, she once admitted, “As a mom, I’m actually way more active than when I was on tour.” Tennis was once her greatest love, but today she proudly calls her two daughters her “biggest love.”
Serena and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, welcomed Olympia in 2017 and their second daughter, Adira, in 2023. Motherhood hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Back in 2018, she confessed that being a mom came with tears, breakdowns, and the constant struggle of finding balance: “Some days I cry. Some days I have meltdowns. It’s really tough. I still have to learn how to be there for her and for me. It’s so easy to put yourself last.”
Even after retiring from tennis, the 43-year-old remains active in business and fitness. Yet, Alexis often praises her ability to switch gears and give her full attention to family time. Still, even the most disciplined mom can be thrown off schedule by little ones.
Recently, Serena revealed just that on Instagram. Sharing a video of herself walking with baby Adira in a hallway, she wrote: “Can you believe this little cutie had me out at 1 am last night hopping around the streets of Berlin? Jet lag is real.” Alexis joined in with a playful comment: “Papa said go to bed, little girl!”
This isn’t the first time Serena has spoken openly about the realities of parenting. Just last year, she posted a reel comparing expectations of motherhood with the often chaotic reality. Meanwhile, Alexis has been melting hearts by sharing sweet father-daughter moments online.
One tradition that’s become a fan favorite is his “Papa Pancakes” routine. Every weekend, Alexis takes over the kitchen, whipping up creative pancake designs for Olympia and now Adira. From alphabet letters that helped Olympia learn to read, to elaborate shapes and Disney characters, the pancake ritual has become a treasured family bond. What began in 2022 as a daddy-daughter cooking video has now grown into a cherished routine passed down to both girls.
Whether it’s Serena juggling jet-lagged nights with Adira or Alexis turning pancakes into life lessons, the Williams-Ohanian household continues to show the mix of struggles, laughter, and love that defines parenthood.
