The perfect pair! Serena Williams welcomed her and Alexis Ohanian’s daughter, Olympia, in September 2017 — and the little one is her mini-me.
While she loves sharing her moments with the toddler, the professional tennis player wrote via Instagram in February 2020 that “working and being a mom is not easy.”
The athlete explained at the time: “I am often exha-usted, stre-ssed, and then I go play a professional tennis match. We keep going. I am so proud and inspired by the women who do it day in and day out. I’m proud to be this baby’s mama at olympiaohanian.”
That same month, the Michigan native told Anna Wintour about being privileged enough to spend more time with her daughter than the typical working mom.
“I’m at a loss for words when I think of women who work day in and day out, providing for their families, when I know how hard it is for me to leave my daughter,” the My Life: Queen of the Court author said. “I never felt that way until I became a mom. I think women need to be recognized.”
The athletic apparel designer added that her “heroes have changed” since parenthood, explaining, “My heroes are moms because women are superheroes. To have a baby and then have to go to work two or three weeks later or work a nine to five. … I’m fortunate to not have to do that.”
When it comes to raising Olympia, Williams models her parenting ta-ctics after her own mother’s. “I feel like all those lessons [my mom, Oracene Price], taught me about being so strong, of proud of who I am, of being able to look anyone in the face and have confidence and speak with so much confidence is something that I really have been able to embrace,” the Olympian said during a June 2017 event. “And I would love to teach my kid that.”
Twinning
“She’s got my back already,” Williams captioned a sweet sh-ot in September 2020. “And I’ll always have hers.”
Mini Makeup Mogul
The mother-daughter pair adorably did their makeup together in March 2020.
Fashion Queens
The athlete held Olympia on a September 2019 NYFW runway.
Bonding Over Braids
She braided her toddler’s hair in June 2019, writing, “Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia.We have been braiding our hair for centuries. In many African tribes braided hairstyles were a unique way to identify each tribe. … It began with the elders braiding their children, then the children would watch and learn from them. The tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly made its way across the world.I am honored to share this bonding experience with my own daughter and add another generation of historic traditions.”
Best Billboards
In February 2018, Ohanian surprised his wife with billboards calling her the “Greatest Momma of All Time.”
Courtside Cutie
Olympia cheered on her mom at the Fed Cup in Asheville, North Carolina, in February 2018.
Model Mom
Williams and her baby girl covered Vogue in January 2018.
So Sweet
“Baby girl, I won’t mind if you play tennis badly. I won’t mind if you choose to never pick up a racket,” the tennis star said in a November 2017 Gatorade commercial. “But I beg you, in this game of life, please keep playing no matter what.”
Welcome to the World
Williams shared a hospital pic with Ohanian, calling their newborn her “greatest accomplishment.”
This Article First Published On USMAGAZINE