Chelsea Women’s star Ashley Lawrence shared a powerful post-match moment with tennis icon Serena Williams following her team’s emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester United in the 2025 Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final.
Ashley Lawrence’s Tribute to Serena Williams Comes Full Circle
Held at a packed Wembley Stadium on May 18, the FA Cup final wasn’t just a historic day for Chelsea Women, who completed a commanding domestic treble with the victory. It also marked a unique crossover of sporting greatness, as Serena Williams graced the sidelines with her husband and Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian, now an investor in Chelsea FC Women.
His recent acquisition of a 10% stake in the club, reportedly valued at around £20 million, underscored their active investment in the growth of women’s sports.
Following Chelsea’s emphatic victory, fans were treated to a touching post-match scene. The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup shared a heartfelt image of Lawrence, still in her blue Chelsea kit, standing pitchside with Serena Williams, who wore a graceful blue skirt and white top.
Last October, as part of Adobe Women’s FA Cup’s Black History Month tributes in the UK, Lawrence revealed Serena Williams as her Black hero growing up. Reflecting on Williams’ legacy, Lawrence praised the tennis legend for her resilience and dominance in a sport where Black women were seldom recognized at the top.
“Growing up, I admired Serena Williams,” she said. “Her journey in tennis, a sport where Black women were rarely seen at the top, showed me the power of perseverance, resilience, and self-belief. Serena didn’t just dominate her sport, she broke barriers and redefined what it means to be a champion.”
Back in October as part of our Black History Month celebrations, we asked players who their black hero was growing up. Ashley Lawrence unequivocally said Serena Williams. Yesterday, she got to meet her hero after winning the #AdobeWomensFACup 💙 pic.twitter.com/OizUpBwWff
— Adobe Women’s FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) May 19, 2025
Serena Williams’ Husband, Alexis Ohanian, Discussed His Investment in Chelsea Women FC
Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, believes that Chelsea Women’s FC can rise to even greater heights following his major investment, highlighting the club’s potential to become a leading force in women’s sports.
“As Founding Control Owner of Angel City FC, I’ve seen the opportunity to create and grow a worldwide brand within women’s football, and I’m confident Chelsea FC Women is the next global women’s sports brand,” said Ohanian.
CEO Aki Mandhar welcomed Ohanian aboard, praising his expertise and vision.
“This investment is validation of the club’s past success, but more importantly, it is yet another proof point in the market of the persistent growth and potential of women’s football. There is no greater champion of investing in the future of girls and women’s sports than Alexis, and we are incredibly proud to welcome him to the club,” he said.
