Serena Williams needs to step off the court.
The retired tennis champion confessed to needing a quick break from parenting her 7-year-old daughter Olympia, who she shares with husband of seven years Alexis Ohanian.
“I’m in my car…. my Navigator To be exact,” Serena wrote in an April 18 message on X (formerly Twitter). “I’ve got the Massage seats on. I’m sadly Hiding from my kid.”
The 43-year-old—who also shares 20-month-old daughter Adira with Alexis—had been on mom duty all day since, as she noted, “Today is a holiday and no school.”
And Serena had no regrets about admitting to sneaking away from her little one. In fact, she was prepared to take on any criticism she might receive for the confession.
“Judge away,” Serena quipped. “I don’t care I need 10 mins.”
Another reason the athlete isn’t worried about facing backlash? She’s confident in her parenting skills.
“I’m a wonderful mom,” Serena told Vogue in 2022. “I think we, as women, don’t give ourselves credit, but I’m a great mom. I really am. I do everything. I’m freaking the room mom at Olympia’s school this year.”
Of course, that’s not to say she doesn’t have her off days. In 2023, Serena got candid about her mental health struggles, admitting that she was facing a period where she was “not OK.”
“And that’s ok to not be ok,” she continued in a post on X at the time. “No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you.”
She added, “There’s always tomorrow. Love you.”
Luckily, Serena has a strong support system behind her in her husband and her friends, including pal Meghan Markle, who often trades cooking and home-making tips with the tennis player.
“I’m always like, ‘Girl, what are you doing today?’” Serena said of the Duchess of Sussex inside of Time’s 100 Most Influential People issue published April 15. “So we’re trading recipes.”
For more on Serena’s bond with daughter Olympia, read on…
Smart and Strong
…Like Her Mama.
Sleeping Beauty
Zzzzzz…
Mommy and Daughter
Serena and her little girl love Snapchat!
Pretty in Pink
“Making moves,” read the caption on the photo, posted on the child’s Instagram page.
Baby’s First Halloween
“When you realize you’re the hero Gotham needs,” read the caption on the photo, posted on the child’s Instagram page.
Bath Time
Serena posted on her Instagram page this photo of Alexis and baby Alexis, writing, “We love bath time.”
Bling
Serena showcases her new wedding ring in this adorable pic of her daughter.
Teddy Bear Cutie
“Wait till I see you S,” read the caption to this photo, posted on the child’s Instagram page in December 2017.
Quality Time With Auntie
Olympia appears with Serena’s sister Isha Price.
Pow!
“Dad & I hit the gym hard today,” read the caption to this photo, posted on the child’s Instagram page in December 2017.
Twinning
Mommy and daughter are twinsies!
New Year’s Eve
The happy mama has some fun on Snapchat.
Dress Up Time
Serena’s baby girl rocks a Janie and Jack’s striped sweater dress on Instagram Stories.
Sock Hop Style
Introducing the most stylish mother-daughter duo!
Coolest Kid
Olympia meets LL Cool J.
Twinsies
Serena and Olympia rock matching pink.
Sleeping Beauty
Even though she’s dressed like Snow White, Olympia channels Sleeping Beauty during nap time.
Tea Time
“olympiaohanian loves her afternoon tea,” Serena captioned this July 2022 snap, “and cheering for mama.”
Zoom Squad
Olympia rides around a golf car with mom Serena and dad Alexis Ohanian Sr.
Big Sister Alert
Olympia became a big sister when Serena gave birth to daughter Adira River Ohanian in August 2023.
Precious Moments
The tiny tot is all smiles when she meets her little sister for the first time.
