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It is weird to think about a world where Serena Williams isn't screaming "Come on!" after a cross-court winner. For decades, that was the baseline. Then, she stepped away—or "evolved," as she famously put it—and everything changed. But if you think she’s just sitting by a pool in Florida sipping green juice, you’re way off. Honestly, the reality of Serena Williams and family in 2026 is a lot more chaotic, business-heavy, and deeply normal than the highlight reels suggest.
Life after the WTA isn't a slow fade. It’s a pivot.
The Myth of the Quiet Retirement
Most people assume that when a GOAT retires, they just... stop. Not Serena. She’s admitted in recent chats that she basically jumped into board meetings for Serena Ventures the day after her final match at the US Open. It was a survival tactic. When you’ve been told where to be and what to eat since you were four years old, "nothing" is a terrifying schedule.
She’s now managing a portfolio of over 85 companies. She’s launching WYN Beauty. She’s building schools in Jamaica and across Africa. And somehow, she’s doing all of this while being a "soccer mom" to a seven-year-old.
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Meet the Ohanian-Williams Crew
The family dynamic has shifted since Adira River Ohanian arrived in August 2023. We’re now looking at a full-blown family of four.
- Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. (Olympia): Now eight, she’s basically a mini-mogul in training. But here’s the kicker: she doesn’t actually like tennis that much. Serena has been open about this—Olympia likes the outfits and the social side, but the "grind"? Not so much. She’s more into piano, fashion, and apparently, being a "creative."
- Adira River Ohanian: The toddler of the house. She’s two now and already being taught the iconic "Serena cheer." Serena recently shared a clip of Adira on the clay courts, but it’s mostly just for fun. No pressure.
- Alexis Ohanian: The Reddit co-founder and "Business Dad." He’s the one slamming trolls on X (formerly Twitter) and leaning into his role as a "Caddy Daddy." Their marriage, which started with a Beauty and the Beast themed wedding in New Orleans back in 2017, seems to be the anchor for the whole operation.
Why the "Tennis Legend" Narrative Is Outdated
If you only follow her for the sports stats, you're missing the point of who she is now. Serena is a Jehovah’s Witness, which means the family doesn’t do big birthday bashes. Instead, they do "un-birthdays" or random "just because" celebrations. It’s a detail that often gets lost in the celebrity gossip.
They live in a massive, Spanish Mediterranean-style waterfront home in Miami. It was designed by her sister Venus’s firm, V Starr. It’s a full-circle sister moment. Speaking of Venus, she just got married to Andrea Preti in late 2025, and seeing the photos of Serena and her girls in matching light blue dresses at the wedding really hammered home that the "Williams Sisters" era has officially moved from the court to the family tree.
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The Mental Health Reality
It hasn't all been sunshine. Serena admitted that August 2025 was a "difficult" month for her mentally. She took a break. She talked about it. That’s the "new" Serena—someone who doesn't have to be bulletproof anymore. She’s figuring out how to be a "helper" instead of the person everyone is cheering for.
She even started a podcast called Stockton Street with Venus. It’s basically just two sisters talking about their lives, and honestly, it’s the most human we’ve ever seen them. No scripts, just the reality of two women who changed the world and are now wondering what to cook for dinner.
Lessons from the "Evolution"
What can we actually learn from the way Serena handles her family and career post-tennis? It’s not about finding "balance." Balance is a lie. It’s about integration.
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1. Don't force the legacy. Olympia isn't the next Serena because Serena isn't making her be. She’s letting her daughter find piano and fashion. If you’re trying to force your kids into your own footsteps, you might want to take a page out of the Williams playbook and just... let them be.
2. Reinvention is a survival skill.
Serena didn't wait to be "bored." she overlapped her career with her venture capital firm. If you're looking at a career change, don't wait for the old one to end before you start the next.
3. Vulnerability is a strength. The fact that the greatest athlete of all time can say "I’m having a hard month" is a massive deal. It gives everyone else permission to do the same.
The story of Serena Williams and family isn't over; it's just in a different volume. The trophies are in a case, but the real work—the parenting, the investing, the living—is happening right now in Miami.
What to do next
- Watch the documentary: Check out In the Arena: Serena Williams on ESPN+ if you want to see her actually process her career for the first time.
- Audit your "Evolution": Take 10 minutes to write down what skills you have that would translate if your current "main thing" disappeared tomorrow.
- Focus on the "Who," not the "What": Spend an hour this week doing an "exploration hour" with your kids or family where there is zero pressure to be good at the activity. Just play.