Alexis Ohanian Slams ‘Racist and Sexist’ Remarks Made About Serena Williams’s Weight

A former tennis player claimed Williams should retire.

Alexis Ohanian is not going to let anyone spew hate against his wife and greatest tennis player of all time, Serena Williams, in 2021. 

Someone really should have warned Madrid Open tournament owner Ion Țiriac about this. He tried it in a new interview.

“At this age and the weight she is now, she does not move as easily as she did 15 years ago,” the 81-year-old former tennis player reportedly told Romanian TV channel TVR before it was translated to English by Ubitennis. “Serena was a sensational player. If she had a little decency, she would retire. From all points of view.”

Remember, the 39-year-old tennis star won the Australian Open while pregnant with her daughter Olympia back in 2017—a far cry from 15 years ago. Don't worry, Ohanian made sure to remind Țiriac about that. 

“Safe to say no one gives a damn what Ion Țiriac thinks,” Ohanian first tweeted on January 3. One day later, he added, “Had to Google it... turns out my 3-year-old has more Grand Slam victories than this 🤡 🤡.”

Oh, and he's not done. “2021 and no holding back when a racist/sexist clown with a platform comes for my family,” he tweeted on January 4.

Back in February 2019, Alexis Ohanian revealed the secret to his marriage with Williams to Glamour: showing up. 

“I think if you were to ask my wife, or many other people in relationships, it’s often the simpler things that are the most important. You have to show up,” he said at the time. “You have to be supportive. These are the things that matter.” It seems like he's truly living by this decree

Ohanian and three-year-old Olympia supporting Serena at the 2020 U.S. Open

Al Bello/Getty Images

Showing up, of course, goes both ways. In June 2020, Ohanian made waves when he announced he'd be stepping down from the board of Reddit—which he cofounded in 2005—to make room for Black voices. “It is long overdue to do the right thing,” he said at the time. “I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.”

Williams was quick to show her support for her husband of four years. “Having diverse views on any boards is important,” she tweeted. “So proud of you Alexis. I know Olympia will be too.”

Seriously, this family is truly on another level. To see proof they're the GOAT on Instagram as well, click right this way.


This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Emily Tannenbaum