Tennis icon Serena Williams has given fans a precious glimpse into her family life, sharing a series of intimate Instagram photos where she is seen teaching her youngest daughter, Adira, how to play tennis. The 44-year-old sports superstar introduced her toddler to the sport that made her a household name, creating a poignant full-circle moment.
A Precious Mother-Daughter Moment
In the heartwarming post, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is pictured on a blue and green home court, dressed in a black one-piece outfit, gently guiding her two-year-old daughter. Little Adira, who is rarely seen on her mother's social media, can be seen carefully balancing a ball on her racket, intently mimicking the champion. Serena's caption perfectly captured the sentiment: "This is me sharing my passion for tennis with my youngest daughter."
The images sparked immediate excitement among her followers, with one Instagram fan already predicting a future champion, commenting that Adira would be the '2040 US OPEN CHAMPION' with her mother showing her the way.
The Williams Family Tennis Legacy
This initiation into tennis continues a powerful family tradition. Serena and her sister Venus were famously moulded into champions by their father, Richard Williams, now 83, a story immortalised in the Will Smith film King Richard. However, the path of sporting legacy within Serena's own family is revealing itself to be nuanced.
The tennis legend also shares an eight-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, 42. In a 2023 interview with the WTA, Serena expressed that while Olympia appears to have tennis talent, she "doesn't actually like to play tennis too much," an admission the champion found "a little disappointing." She added, "We are trying to figure out a way to get her to play a little bit," indicating she hasn't given up hope on passing the baton.
Cherished Family Appearances
Serena is known for being judicious about sharing photos of her children, typically reserving social media posts for special occasions or amazing memories. Earlier this year, she appeared in a stunning silver swimsuit, holding Adira's hand in the ocean, captioning it, "My mini mini @adiraohanian wanted to take a dip in the ocean. I could not say no."
In March, both of her daughters joined her for an ad campaign for her Janie and Jack clothing line. Speaking to People about the shoot, Serena said, "Having my girls in the campaign was only right because this collection is all about family. Olympia had so much fun expressing her style, and Adira, even at her young age, loved being part of it in her own way. They were naturals."
This focus on family is a deliberate choice for Williams, who three years ago announced her retirement from professional tennis to dedicate more time to her loved ones. She stated unequivocally, "These days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter." With these latest photos, it seems she is beautifully merging both worlds, sharing her legendary passion with the next generation.
