"I don't live with people unless I'm married" - When Serena Williams made stance clear about non-negotiable rules in her dating life

Serena Williams has never been one to shy away from discussing her personal life, including her views on relationships. She once made it clear that she doesn’t believe in live-in relationships, stating that she wouldn’t live with someone unless they were married.

In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, Williams opened up about a range of deeply personal topics. She spoke about battling depression after her sister Yetunde’s tragic death, addressed misconceptions about her father and coach, Richard Williams, and shared her strong faith in God, among many other things.

When asked about the rumors of her dating rapper Common at the time, Serena Williams gave a cryptic response, saying:

"I may or may not be.”

When asked if she was living with Common, she replied:

"Oh no, I don't live with people unless I'm married.”

Serena Williams also shared her plans for marriage, revealing that she had once chosen a specific date for her wedding—August 9, the birthday of Yetunde Price, who was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Compton, California, in 2003.

“I'm getting married on my sister's birthday. Tunde's. I thought that would be a nice day,” she said.

Williams and Common were romantically linked from 2007 to 2010. While they kept their relationship mostly private, they were occasionally seen together at events. The two reportedly split on good terms.

Serena Williams opens up about difficulties in her relationship with rapper Common

Serena Williams and Common pictured together | Image Source: Getty

Serena Williams and rapper Common were considered one of the standout couples where sports met the music industry, frequently making headlines. Williams once shed light on why their relationship didn’t last, explaining that their busy schedules created a barrier between them.

Williams told Harper's Bazaar in 2010:

"His schedule is actually worse than mine. He didn't want the responsibility. It's really tough."

But they managed to maintain a good relationship even after their breakup, as Common himself revealed during an interview with Meredith Vieira in 2015:

"Not every ex-girlfriend and I are still friends, but with some, I am. We got a great understanding, and I care about her as a person. It's not like every other person you talk to every other day, but you know, you still have that respect. You have love for them and want to see them do well."

The duo has come a long way since then. Williams is now married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and they share two daughters, Olympia and Adira. Meanwhile, Common is reportedly planning to marry his girlfriend, Jennifer Hudson.