Serena Williams returned to Wimbledon on Tuesday, and while the tennis legend’s comeback ended in a first-round loss, she had her biggest supporters cheering her on.
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The 23-time Grand Slam champion had her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughters, Olympia and Adira, in the stands as she made her long-awaited return to Centre Court for her first singles match at Wimbledon in nearly four years.
Wimbledon’s age rules for spectators meant youngest daughter Adira River Ohanian had to leave before the match got started. However, the couple’s eldest, 8-year-old Olympia, got to stay and watch her mom play.
After the match, Ohanian shared a series of photos of Serena on Centre Court along with another of himself with Olympia and Adira in the stands.
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The Reddit co-founder captioned the snaps, “Our little family is so proud of you @serenawilliams — even though it wasn’t the outcome you wanted, you’re an inspiration. We love you. @olympiaohanian and @adiraohanian are also happy they got to stay up a bit past their bedtime.”
Williams faced 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in a hard-fought first-round match that lasted two hours and 22 minutes. She dropped the first set but battled back to take the second, forcing a third before Joint closed it out 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3.
Had Williams pulled off the victory, she would have become the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles match since 2004.
She later reflected on the experience in a statement.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams said. “I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
Williams and Ohanian welcomed their first daughter, Olympia, in September 2017 before tying the knot later that year. Their family expanded again in August 2023 with the birth of their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.
