“It’s the one thing that was able to keep me grounded” - Serena Williams wishes daughters Olympia and Adira to have a ‘true relationship’ with God

Serena Williams opened up about how her religion has kept her humble amid the massive success of her career. She also expressed her desire for her daughters Olympia and Adira River to share a 'true relationship' with god.

Williams is a Jehovah's Witness, a form of Christianity that follows the Old as well as the New Testament of the Bible. The American recently sat down for an interview with Glamour, where she said that she was fine with her daughters not pursuing a career in sports.

“Whatever you want to do, give it your all. It even says that in the Bible. ‘Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly,’” Serena Williams said. “It’s the one thing that was able to keep me grounded. Especially with getting famous and wealthy so early, that stuff can really change who you are as a person, and I didn’t want to change. We’re so small.”

Speaking about her daughters Olympia (7) and Adira (1), the 43-year-old said:

“I pray every night that the girls stay close and have a true relationship with God on their own and get to know Him,” she says. “It’s the most important thing that I personally think you can do.”

Williams was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in January last year. This happened just a few months after the American legend retired from tennis at the 2022 US Open, where she was exited in the third round by Ajla Tomljanovic in a topsy-turvy three-setter.

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"We're Jehovah's Witnesses, so we don't do that" - Serena Williams on not celebrating her daughter's first birthday

Williams (L, seated, middle row) with husband Alexis Ohanian (R) and daughter Olympia (C) at the Paris Olympics (Source: Getty)

According to People, during a press conference ahead of the 2018 US Open, Serena Williams revealed that Alexis Olympia wouldn't be celebrating her first birthday. Her birthday falls on the 15th of August.

“Olympia doesn’t celebrate birthdays. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don’t do that.”

Although it isn't forbidden, Jehovah's Witnesses don't usually celebrate their birthdays since they feel such celebrations displease God. They also do not celebrate Christmas and Easter.

However, Williams did give her daughter time to enjoy a smaller, informal 'party' in which she set up activities her daughter could enjoy, including face painting and other activities.