Venus Williams just shared a sweet family secret — the nickname her famous nieces call her.
The tennis icon revealed that Serena Williams’ daughters with husband Alexis Ohanian — 8-year-old Alexis Olympia and 2-year-old Adira River — have a special name for their aunt. “My nieces call me Auntie Vivi,” Venus told Us Weekly in a May 2025 interview.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also expressed how much her family means to her, saying, “My proudest accomplishment is being a big sister.”
A Big Year for Venus
Family isn’t the only thing bringing Venus joy this year. In July, she confirmed her engagement to actor and model Andrea Preti. Speaking after a match, Venus gushed, “Yes, my fiancé is here. He really encouraged me to keep playing.”
That same day marked a milestone for the 45-year-old — her first singles victory in over a year. It was also the first time Andrea had ever seen her play live, making the moment even more memorable.
Sisterly Support (and a Little Teasing)
Although Serena Williams retired from professional tennis in 2022, she’s still one of Venus’ biggest supporters. After Venus’ strong showing at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, she carried that momentum into the U.S. Open, teaming up with rising star Leylah Fernandez in doubles.
Serena couldn’t resist poking fun at her sister’s new partnership. In a playful TikTok video posted August 31, Serena rolled her eyes before joking, “When you see your sister @VenusWilliams has a new doubles partner @leylahanniefernandez — and you’re really happy she’s winning with someone else.”
Still, her pride in Venus was clear. Days earlier, Serena wrote on Instagram, “Strength, courage, determination, class, perseverance, inspiration… there’s not enough words to describe how proud I am of you @VenusWilliams. P.S. I hope to be like you.”
Serena’s Journey as a Mother
The article also reflected on Serena’s motherhood journey. During her pregnancy with Olympia, Serena told Vogue she always felt she was carrying a girl: “Two weeks after we found out I was pregnant, I played the Australian Open. I told Alexis it had to be a girl because that baby never gave me any trouble. Ride or die. Women are tough that way.”
Serena, who once thought she’d retire after having children, later shared that motherhood gave her “a new power” and renewed love for the game. “Walking out there and hearing the crowd — there’s no better feeling in the world,” she said.
In a heartfelt message to her unborn child, Serena wrote, “My dearest baby, you gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can’t wait to meet you.”
