Tennis legend Serena Williams is currently in Paris for the Olympic Games along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their elder daughter Olympia. Ohanian held an umbrella for his wife while they walked the red carpet, earning rich praise from fans.
Williams was an integral part of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics as she carried the Olympic torch while sailing through the Seine river on a boat. The four-time Olympic gold medalist was joined by other multiple-gold medal-winning athletes like Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci. She was one of the torchbearers in the Olympic Torch Relay, along with 24 other athletes.
On the red carpet, before the opening ceremony, Serena Williams was accompanied by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their elder daughter. As rain poured down on the French capital, Ohanian shielded his wife with an umbrella. This act of chivalry didn’t go unnoticed, though a EuroSport commentator seemingly confused him as a ‘personal umbrella holder’.
The Tennis Letter on X posted about the mishap on their X (formerly Twitter) account.
Fans, however, were delighted with the Reddit co-founder taking up the responsibility on his wife's big day.
"Makes a nice change for male spouses of celebrities to be mistaken for hired help," one fan wrote.
"Thas his job! Good husband and beautiful happy family!!" another fan stated.
One fan joked that seven-time Olympic medallist Simon Biles' husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, should take notes. Owens landed in hot water last year, when he claimed he didn't know who Biles was when they met.
"Simone’s husband should take notes," they wrote.
Here are some more reactions to Ohanian holding up an umbrella for Williams.
"He treats her like a queen," one fan wrote.
"@alexisohanian has been an advocate for women’s sports and pay for years! Love how he supports his family but also all women! Thank you," another fan wrote.
"Love from a good man," wrote yet another.
Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, hilariously uses the commentator's words for his Instagram caption
When Serena Williams arrived on the red carpet with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, holding an umbrella over her head, EuroSport commentator Laura Woods said:
"She [Serena] looks absolutely incredible. She's got someone just behind us holding an umbrella... Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you."
The Reddit co-founder was made aware of the comments and used it for an Instagram post caption. Ohanian posted a picture of himself with his wife Williams and elder daughter Olympia and wrote:
"Olympia. Serena. Serena's Personal Umbrella Holder. 😂 Let the games begin! I'll be watching a lot of T&F to soak up @athlos inspiration. 🥇"
Notably, the latter part of his caption referred to his recently launched women's only track league, Athlos NYC.
Is Serena Williams a Jehovah's Witness? Why American legend doesn't celebrate birthdays or Christmas