"I credit my parents with what I’ve learned about relationships" - When Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian opened up about their marriage life

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s love story is widely admired by tennis fans. What many don’t know is that Ohanian took inspiration from his parents’ relationship, using their example to shape his own marriage.

Ohanian was born in 1983 to Chris and Anke, who worked tirelessly to give him a better life. Chris, originally from Armenia, and Anke, from West Germany, both moved to the U.S. and built their careers in pharmacy. Their hard work paid off as their only child went on to become a tech giant, best known as the co-founder of Reddit.

Seeing his parents stand by each other through every challenge shaped Ohanian’s outlook on relationships. Their bond taught him to appreciate the little things and value commitment, something he shared in a 2019 first-person essay for Glamour magazine.

"I credit my parents with a lot of what I’ve learned about partnership and relationships," Serena Williams' husband wrote.

"It wasn’t always easy, but my parents were partners in the truest sense. By watching them up close, I learned what it means to be supportive, how to make compromises without sacrificing yourself, and how to show up in the ways that matter," he added.

The 41-year-old continued:

“Whether it was being proud parents at my football games or organizing family road trips for weekend getaways to Civil War battlefields or antiquing (the former was my dad’s favorite, the latter my mom’s; at the time I found them boring, but I appreciate those memories now). In short, I got the cheat code for partnership early on.”

How Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian met

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian pictured with their daughter Olympia | Image Source: Getty

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian first crossed paths in 2015 at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome. She was in town for a tennis tournament, while he was attending a conference at the same venue. Their connection began with a chance conversation—one that almost didn’t happen, as Williams’ friends initially tried to steer him away from their table.

They began dating soon after and got engaged in December 2016. The following year, in September 2017, they welcomed their daughter, Olympia, and tied the knot in a stunning New Orleans ceremony that November. Their family grew once more in August 2023 with the birth of their second daughter, Adira.