Now, it’s Serena Williams asking, ‘Ain’t you tired?’
After the 23-time Grand Slam title holder appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance Feb. 9, she responded to the widespread backlash that her cameo was a “petty” dig at ex Drake.
“Gosh I’m so late to the game (I’ve been sick) & busy investing in billion dollar companies and running @WYNbeauty,” Serena wrote in a Feb. 17 post on X, formerly Twitter. “Def not dancing to be petty lol.”
And while Serena appeared alongside Kendrick and SZA at the Feb. 9 game—which saw the Philadelphia Eagles best the Kansas City Chiefs—she emphasized that her cameo was not to get back at her ex, whom she dated in the early 2010s.
“I think I proved 23 times over (not counting 4 gold medals) that I simply don’t have time for petty,” Serena continued. “All love and respect always nothing negative here.”
Indeed, while Serena and Drake’s dating history may have been a welcome coincidence amid Kendrick’s ongoing feud with the “In My Feelings” rapper, the tennis pro’s appearance in the halftime show went much deeper, as her husband Alexis Ohanian previously explained.
“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows,” Alexis—who shares kids Olympia, 6, and Adira, 18 months with Serena—wrote on X Feb. 10, attaching a screenshot of a journalist criticizing Serena for her dancing at the prestigious tennis match. “This is bigger than the music.”
Beyond making a statement about the dance for which Serena had previously received backlash, Kendrick and Serena also share roots in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles—which the “Humble” rapper paid homage to in not only the verses of “Not Like Us” but also the music video.
And before making her piece about her appearance in the performance, Serena thanked her husband of seven years, adding, “That there my baby daddy and husband. Always got my back. I Love you.”
The 43-year-old’s statement about her halftime performance—and gratitude for her husband—comes a little over a week after Stephen A. Smith claimed he would “divorce” her for “trolling her ex.”
As he put it on the First Take podcast Feb. 10, “If I’m married, and my wife is going to troll her ex—go back to his ass. Because clearly you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him—and you with me?”
Luckily for Stephen and Serena, they won’t have to worry about that highly hypothetical scenario. Keep reading for more of Serena and Alexis’ sweet moments…
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.”
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.
Growing Family
Serena and Alexis welcomed their second baby girl, Adira, in August 2023.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
