Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, recently stepped forward to support women’s tennis’s credibility. The renowned tech entrepreneur mentioned how he discovered the sport with the women’s side of the game and was confused when he found that men’s tennis features five-set showdowns in major events.
The statement came in light of the controversy surrounding an equal spot for men and women that brewed during the 2025 French Open.
Alexis Ohanian Backs Women’s Tennis’ Credibility With a Bold Remark
Carlos Alcaraz’s commendable win over Jannik Sinner came after a five-hour and 29-minute showdown that ended in five sets. Hours after the historic matchup, a fan simply mentioned how women’s tennis would only be seen as equal if it introduced five-set matches in major events.
Dissatisfied with the ask, Williams’ husband, Ohanian, stepped forward to offer an alternative opinion. According to him, the change needs to happen with men’s tennis as five-set battles generally tend to be confusing and also lose fans’ interest with a change in pace.
“As someone who discovered tennis through the women’s game, I fell in love with the drama of every point mattering. When I finally watched a men’s match, I was confused. Five sets? It made the early games feel like warm-up acts instead of high-stakes battle. The tension was diluted, not heightened,” he wrote on X.
As someone who discovered tennis through the women’s game, I fell in love with the drama of every point mattering. When I finally watched a men’s match, I was confused. Five sets? It made the early games feel like warm-up acts instead of high-stakes battle. The tension was… pic.twitter.com/9r50a2OT8b
— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) June 9, 2025
Further solidifying his claim, the Reddit co-founder admitted that it might cost a lot to advertise it in a new way. However, he also highlighted the positive impact it would bring to the game.
“There’s too much advertising revenue to change it, but I think it’d improve the men’s game, guys will play longer and healthier, and fewer half-empty stadiums at super late hours,” he added.
There’s too much advertising revenue to change it, but I think it’d improve the men’s game, guys will play longer and healthier, and fewer half empty stadiums at super late hours
— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) June 9, 2025
While the change may take a long time to implement, he also highlighted how it would help men’s tennis cope with physical stress.
“Yes, it’s hard to look at stuff from first principles, especially sports with all the tradition, but I think it’d be just as compelling (even more compelling more often) if the men played to 3 in grand slams (less fatigue, fewer injuries, higher stakes for every shot),” he added.
Yes, it’s hard to look at stuff from first principles, especially sports with all the tradition, but I think it’d be just as compelling (even more compelling more often) if the men played to 3 in grand slams (less fatigue, fewer injuries, higher stakes for every shot)
— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) June 9, 2025
This was after Ohanian cherished the five-set showdown between Sinner and Alcaraz. The 42-year-old expressed his excitement on X, making it clear that he was one of the many spectators of the high-stakes match.
Aryna Sabalenka Admits to the Physical Strain She Incurred During the Tough Two Weeks at Roland Garros
It isn’t just a matter of the number of sets played in men’s and women’s tennis. As the whole tennis community witnessed Rafael Nadal endure a massive toll of injuries during the clay court season, Sabalenka also couldn’t deny the physical efforts it took from her.
While making the finalist speech with tears in her eyes, one thing that bothered her the most was having overcome countless hurdles in the last two weeks and finally facing defeat.
“This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two seeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions,” she said. “Thank you my team for the support, I’m sorry for this terrible final. As always I will come back stronger,” Sabalenka said.
Gauff attained her second major title after the recent win over Sabalenka. She also became the first American woman to win the Roland Garros title after Serena Williams in 2015.