Father to Two Daughters, Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Sheds Light on the ‘Ebbs and Flows’ of Parenthood

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, a power couple in their own right, have successfully created their own identities in their professional world. But when it comes to the other sector of their lives—parenthood—their experience is like any other couple’s. It is layered with a mix of different emotions that oscillate from time to time. And Alexis Ohanion’s latest revelation sheds light on this important aspect of parenthood.

On May 21, the Business Dad podcast released its latest episode, “Embracing the Grosser Parts of Parenting with Paul Scheer”. During the podcast, the host, Paul Scheer, engaged in a conversation with Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, about the ever-evolving role of fatherhood. Ohanian candidly reflected on the subject when asked about the roles and responsibilities of a parent. “Broadly, like as, as a mom and a dad, it ebbs and flows,” Ohanian began his statement. 

Further explaining his thoughts, he said, “I think even on an emotional level, it’s so interesting to see how, you know, whether or not one of us is taking her to school that day or another. Like that’s, that’s sort of the ebb and flow of whatever we might have going on in our own professional lives.” 

The couple may be professionally successful but both enjoy parenting Olympia (6 years old) and Adira (6 months old). Since their arrival, both have dedicated most of their attention to their kids. While Williams loves volunteering at Olympia’s school, Ohanian’s paternity leave before Adira’s birth showed his unwavering support for the family.

But the struggles of being parents are relentless. “But then even the relationship has layers to it, which has been really fun”, Ohanian added. However, according to him, in the case of Adira, the challenges have not begun as of yet. “But for a six-year-old, I’m just starting to unpeel the human and really learn all the different feelings and desires and hopes and fears. And it’s awesome,” Ohanian concluded. Not only Ohanian, but Serena Williams has also spoken about her struggles of being a mother previously.

“You know, it’s hard,” Serena Williams reveals about her motherhood journey 

After retiring from tennis back in 2022, the 42-year-old has always been vocal about loving every minute of being a parent. According to her, the question of choosing between a tennis career and a mother is unfair. Even after the birth of Olympia, Serena Williams once admitted how staying away from her made her feel during her career.

“You know, it’s hard. Sometimes my heart literally aches when I’m not around her. But, you know, it’s good for me, I guess, to keep working and just to all moms out there that it’s not easy. It’s really kind of painful sometimes. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.”

Soon after that interview, we saw Williams play her last season of tennis in 2022. And in 2023, she welcomed Adira, her second daughter. Now, Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian’s life, are filled with joys and challenges with their children!