23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has left her sporting days behind and is focused on her life off the court, balancing business projects with family time alongside her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughters, Olympia and Adira.
But sport is something that runs in the blood of the Williams family. However, despite sharing such a great legacy with her own sister Venus, Serena doesn’t want her own daughters to follow their same footsteps.
Serena Williams Doesn’t Want Her Daughters in the Same Sport
Since stepping away from professional tennis, Williams has been enjoying motherhood and often shares family moments with her fans. She has also shared how sports are naturally becoming part of her daughters’ world.
Williams recently posted photos of a tennis session with her youngest daughter, Adira, who held a tiny racket and could be seen following her mother’s instructions. A few days back, she was also seen playing alongside Williams while the tennis legend was practising.
Williams and her husband are also part owners of the Los Angeles Golf Club, and earlier, Serena shared a video of Adira holding a little golf club and taking swings.
She talked about this during an appearance on the Today with Jenna & Sheinelle show, where the hosts showed the clip of Olympia swinging a golf club. They joked that her shots looked better than theirs. Williams explained that Olympia likes golf because she doesn’t have to run. On the other hand, Adira loves to run.
“She likes golf because she don’t have to run. She’s not into running. The baby Adira, she likes to run. So, we think golf might be for Olympia, maybe tennis for Adira. We don’t know.”
For Williams, there is no pressure for her daughters to follow the same path or even her path. That’s why, despite owning 30 Grand Slam titles together with her sister Venus, she is simply letting each child discover what feels right for them. “I would never put them in the same sport,” the 44-year-old said.
Williams’ Different Parenting Style for Her Daughters
During her interview, Williams also talked about how different her two daughters are and how that plays out in everyday life at home.
She called her elder daughter Olympia “so sweet” and proudly said that “she’s the best big sister.” Williams also mentioned the creative side of Olympia, like how she picks out outfits and comes up with fashion ideas.
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Then she described Adira as “feisty, but nice.” The younger one is full of energy and sometimes makes Williams realize she might go a little too easy on her. “I’m the youngest in my family, so I always have to make sure I’m not being too nice,” she said.
“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Let her (Adira) have it. Let her do it.’ And Olympia will say, ‘No!’ And I’m like, ‘No, let her do it!” Williams added.
