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Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian Step Out With Daughter Olympia at 2024 ESPYS
Serena Williams isn’t just an ace on the tennis court—she’s also a superhero fanatic.
In fact, the retired tennis player shared her meet-cute with now-husband, Alexis Ohanian, involved them gushing over her favorite comic universe: Marvel.
“During dinner he started talking about Iron Man and Marvel,” Serena, 43, said in an episode of her 2024 ESPN+ docuseries In The Arena. “That’s the way to my heart.”
Alexis, who also appeared in the episode, noted he mentioned the popular franchise because he was a genuine fan, saying, “This wasn’t just a superficial, ‘Hey, I’ve watched a few movies.’ This is, ‘I have deeply studied the text and I have strong opinions about this lore.’”
Before the duo—who share daughters Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., 7, and Adira River Ohanian, 19 months—bonded over their superhero interests, the first half of their date was a bit intense. According to the Reddit founder, Serena only agreed to their date if her assistant and agent Jill Smoller could tag along, and they came prepared to break the ice.
“They just bombarded me with questions—it was like two hours of interrogation,” the 41-year-old reflected on the moment, before revealing the questions the trio asked him. “‘Do I have kids? Am I married?’ Nothing was off limits.”
Serena also confirmed they were straightforward in their approach, with Jill even asking him if he was dating anyone else at the time. And it was his honest response about the end of his last relationship that encouraged her to ease back on the questions.
“He was saying that he had broken up with her,” the Olympic gold medalist added. “It changed things when he said that because I was like, ‘Okay, now he’s not being this beast.’”
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
This isn’t the first time Serena—who married Alexis in November 2017 after two years of dating—has gushed over the MCU, as she praised Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as the “best Marvel movie she’s ever seen” shortly after its 2022 release.
As for Alex, he recently complimented another one of his wife’s interests: dancing. When Serena made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s impressive halftime show at the 2025 Super Bowl, he rated her crip walking as “pretty fantastic” on Instagram.
Keep reading to see more moments of the duo being their kids’ personal superheroes…
Serena WIlliams/Instagram
Family Time
While celebrating seven years of marriage in November 2024, Serena thanked her husband for making every day special—including making an "average November day a costume party and making it special."
Serena Williams/Instagram
Parents' Night Out
The couple proved they enjoy lowkey date nights just as much as their extravagant trips in a sweet glimpse into a night out in September 2024.
Serena Williams/Instagram
Growing Family
Serena and Alexis welcomed their second baby girl, Adira, in August 2023.
Serena Williams/Instagram
Farm Day
Months before expanding their brood, Serena shared a sweet glimpse into some quality family time, writing on Instagram in Sept. 2022, "Family day on the farm."
Italian Surprise
In July 2018, the tennis champion wanted Italian food for dinner so her husband flew her to Venice, Italy. Talk about a dream date!
Family Time
The adorable couple enjoyed a day out with their little one
in summer 2018.
Picture Perfect Paris
In May 2018, Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams jetted off to Paris to visit the zoo where they had their first date—with an extremely adorable plus one, Olympia, who was born eight months prior.
London Calling
The power couple looked stunning as they celebrated the marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in England in May 2018.
Regal Romance
Even though the duo was in England to celebrate the newly dubbed Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their gorgeous ensembles at the wedding and the reception had us thinking they were the royal couple for the night!
Selexis Day
Every year the couple has a special day called Selexis day where it's all about them. In April 2018, Williams gave insight to their tradition, which—that year—was her turn to plan. She had her husband go on a scavenger hunt that ended at a venue with his childhood friends, a live band and karaoke. Oh, and they recreated their wedding cake and ate it together since they never had a piece at their actual wedding. Pretty fun, right?
JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com
Red Carpet Ready
The happy couple stole the show as they stepped out for the premiere of Williams' HBO documentary series Being Serena in April 2018.
Richard Shiro/Getty Images
Team USA
In addition to cheering on his wife at as many of her tennis matches as possible, Ohanian takes in a ton of sporting events with Williams. Together they are all about Team USA, and it makes us love them even more.
Spartan Squad
When Williams isn't playing tennis she is participating in Spartan races with her closest friends and family, which of course includes her husband.
All Dolled Up
These two definitely clean up well and are always up for a fundraising gala.
Mel Barlow & Co. / Allan Zepeda / Brides.com
I Do
In November 2017, Williams and Ohanian tied the knot in New Orleans and it was pure magic. The couple looked so happy throughout the night and we're still not over the Olympic athlete's gorgeous wedding gown.
French Connection
In May 2017, the lovebirds took a trip to France. While there they took their romance up a notch while taking in all of the breathtaking sunsets.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala Glam
Williams looked gorgeous as she stepped out at the 2017 Met Gala and showed off her baby bump for the first time alongside her then-fiancé Ohanian.
Prince Charming
Get yourself a man who will carry you for no reason on a beach!
Ride or Die
In February 2017, the Reddit co-founder posted this sweet shot dedicated to "My #WCW, every day," and we seriously can't get enough of these two together.
Bear-y Cute
Early on in their romance the duo sported matching bear costumes at a party and it was bear-y cute...get it?
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