Natasha Clarke
Family & Pets

Serena Williams unveils exciting family news

Tennis champion Serena Williams has surprised and delighted fans in equal measure by revealing she and husband Alexis Ohanian are expecting their second child together. 

The GOAT shared the news on Instagram before walking the Met Gala’s 2023 red carpet, posting a picture of herself and Alexis in their finest evening wear. Serena was glowing in her Gucci gown and pearls alongside her husband in the first picture, before she posed alone, showcasing her baby bump for the rest of the series. 

In her caption, Serena shared her excitement over the invite offered to “the 3 of us” by Anna Wintour, organiser of the Met Gala. 

The 2023 star-studded event was paying tribute to late designer Karl Legerfeld with its theme, and attendees spared no cost in honouring it with their glitz and glamour, and it was style to that same measure that Serena and Alexis took with them as they posed for the cameras lining the carpet.

Friends and fans were thrilled, whether they saw the announcement through coverage of the event or on Serena’s social media, with hundreds taking to her initial post to share their excitement, and to congratulate them - and their daughter Olympia - on the happy new addition. 

While many opted for the simple ‘congratulations’ approach - from the likes of singer Ciara to the official Barbie and Olympics accounts - actor Michael B Jordan could not contain his enthusiasm, writing “AAAAYYYEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!” instead. 

“What a reveal,” declared the Australian Open. “Congratulations from your AO family!”

“Happy for u momma,” shared actor Colton Haynes. 

Meanwhile, one fan had to admit that they “had to look three times!!! 3x a charm!! Congratulations!!!”

Another’s thoughts turned to their excitement for 5-year-old Olympia, writing, “congratulation!!!!! Olympia [is] gonna be a big sister!!!!”

“Love this for you and your family!” said another. “Wishin’ you a very healthy pregnancy!!!”

Serena and Alexis’ happy news came eight months after she made the announcement she would be retiring from professional tennis, wanting to focus on her family.

"I have never liked the word retirement,” she said at the time, before going on to note that the term itself didn’t feel particularly ‘modern’ to her. She decided that the best word for her situation may instead be “evolution”.

"I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis,” she continued, “toward other things that are important to me … soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family."

Images: Instagram

Tags:
Serena Williams, Met Gala, family, reveal, baby