Serena’s Sweethearts: Tennis Icon Bonds with Daughters through Fitness
On a quiet Christmas morning, sporting icon Serena Williams shared an intimate glimpse into her life as a mother of two. In a charming Instagram video, the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s eldest daughter Olympia, aged 6, gently guides her 4-month-old sister Adira through a modified baby workout routine.
Clad in a ruffled red holiday dress, Olympia attentively holds Adira’s hands as she helps lift the infant from a laying position to a seated pose. “Gently, gently…like that,” Serena warmly coaches in French, encouraging focused control as Olympia lowers Adira back down. The tennis great captioned the video, “We all work out in this family,” with muscle emoji icons, signifying this is quality time she cherishes.
Serena welcomed her second child, Adira, this past September with husband Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder. Becoming a first-time mother to Olympia in 2017 profoundly impacted Serena’s outlook on life and career. In November, she confided both the rewards and anxiety that accompanied expanding her family. While Olympia “loves” being a big sister and even “prayed for a sister,” Serena admitted worrying whether it was possible to love another child as deeply as her firstborn.
Judging by the visible bonds between her girls, Serena needn’t have stressed. Olympia has gracefully taken on her new role, affectionately calling Adira “her little sis.” The two share an emerging sisterhood sure to blossom under their mother’s guiding light.
Fitness has long been paramount for Serena, regarded as one of history’s greatest competitors. That a love of health now weaves through her home life comes as no surprise. Olympia “navigating” sisterhood also parallels the tennis legend’s recent messages about the ups and downs of postpartum emotional wellness.
Just hours before posting the heartwarming workout video, Serena declared on social media that she was “not ok” that day, and that was alright. The candor resonated with mothers everywhere facing similar struggles. By framing motherhood honestly, as beautiful but also challenging at times, Serena continues blazing trails on and off the court.
As the holidays draw to a close, one hopes the sincere family scene Serena unveiled renews her spirit. With Olympia and Adira’s little hands clutched supportively in each of her own, this sports icon may have discovered her most rewarding championship yet: raising the next generation of sweethearts.
