It's clear from his unwavering support [1] and public displays of unconditional love that Alexis Ohanian wears the title of "Serena Williams' husband" proudly. I mean, he followed her to Paris [2] after just meeting her (as in, for the very first time) for gosh sakes; if that doesn't scream romantic, I don't know what does. The former Reddit board member has been married to the tennis champ [3] for almost three years and we can't get enough of their adorable family. Truly, their marriage can only be summed up in one word: GOALS. Don't believe us? Ahead, read some of Serena and Alexis' quotes that prove just how much they love and mean to one another.
Alexis on Serena
- On what Serena has taught him about work ethic: [4] "I thought I was the hardest-working person on the planet. I thought we were the hardest-working industry. That's what we tell ourselves. It's all malarkey. I've had this front-row seat over the last three years to greatness. It's a humbling experience seeing really what high-pressure situations actually look like professionally, seeing just what it takes to actually be that great. It is a work ethic on another level."
- On Serena being the most inspiring person he knows [5]: "She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women's rights. She never gives up. She's passionate and unrelenting and the most inspiring person I know."
- On putting Serena's career first [6]: ". . . at the end of the day, sometimes her career really does have to come first. I try to be the most supportive partner I can be and to have conversations with her about her career goals and what she can do to reach them."
- On comparing what it means "to be successful" in their respected careers [7]: "One thing that I have always respected in sport is it is so pure in its success metrics. In business, we can find creative ways to measure ourselves . . . But in sport, there's a winner and a loser, and you can't delude yourself into thinking there's some other way to compare or measure. You're the best or you're not. For her to be able to perform so consistently for so long is pretty amazing."
- On supporting Serena the best he can [8]: "I'm far from perfect, but I try to get behind her and let her know I'm there for her and our daughter, no matter what . . . I will always try to show my wife how much I appreciate and support her.
Serena on Alexis
- On finding an equal partner in Alexis [9]: "My whole life I've been by myself, and with my family . . . and so the merging with a partner that is . . . just as successful and just as motivated and everything, it's awesome and it's amazing."
- On how Alexis makes her shine [10]: "Oprah said, 'Never let anyone dim your light.' That really stuck with me. Alexis doesn't dim my light. He doesn't try to dim my light. He puts me in the light, even if I don't want to be. He pushes me to further points I never thought about. It always was something that I could see in some relationships — my light would be dimmer. Now I feel like I can shine really bright and still do everything that I want to do."
- On Alexis being a family man [11]: "It's just been so amazing to have him in my life and to have my daughter in my life as well. He has done so much for the family and for us."