Serena Williams’ Husband Celebrated Her Return to Tennis in a Very Big, Very Public Way
Well, that’s one way to make returning to work after maternity leave a little easier! Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, used four billboards (outside Palm Springs, California) for one *big* public display of affection, in honor of his wife’s competitive return to singles tennis after giving birth in September.
These just went up on alongside I-10 into Palm Springs. @OlympiaOhanian & I wanted to welcome her back to tennis. Designed them myself, with some help from Jr.#GMOAT pic.twitter.com/zRcMmxhgB5
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. (@alexisohanian) February 27, 2018
“These just went up on alongside I-10 into Palm Springs,” the Reddit co-founder tweeted Tuesday morning, along with photos of several billboards emblazoned with the words, “Greatest momma of all time. G.M.O.A.T.,” and adorable images of their 5-month-old daughter, Alexis Olympia. “@OlympiaOhanian & I wanted to welcome her back to tennis. Designed them myself, with some help from Jr. #GMOAT”
Seeing the signs that will line the highway on her drive to next week’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, left the 23-time grand slam title holder feeling some serious love. “Literally am crying,” she commented to Ohanian on Instagram. “This is so sweet. I love you.”
After all, her foray into motherhood hasn’t been without difficulties, as Williams revealed to CNN on February 20 that she “almost died after giving birth” and that becoming a mother has been an overwhelming experience.
“Sometimes I get really down and feel like, ‘Man, I can’t do this,'” she explained to Vogue in January. “No one talks about the low moments — the pressure you feel, the incredible letdown every time you hear the baby cry. I’ve broken down I don’t know how many times. Or I’ll get angry about the crying, then sad about being angry, and then guilty, like, ‘Why do I feel so sad when I have a beautiful baby?’ The emotions are insane.”
But her husband has made it a point to always cheer her on. Although the Internet entrepreneur has admitted he’d never seen a tennis match before he met Williams in June 2015, he’s been her number-one fan ever since. “I felt like a door had been opened to a person who made me want to be my best self,” he told Vanity Fair last year. “I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds.”
Match point, Alexis.
Have you ever made a big public show of affection for your significant other? Tell us about it @BritandCo!
(photo via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)