Honestly, if you looked at the sidelines of a major tennis match back in 2015, you probably saw Drake. He wasn't just there for the sport. He was there for Serena. But fast forward to the 2025 Super Bowl, and the vibes couldn't be more different. Serena Williams was on stage, Crip-walking to "Not Like Us"—the ultimate Kendrick Lamar anthem designed to dismantle Drake's entire reputation.
It was a moment that felt like a decade of simmering tension finally boiled over.
People love a good narrative. The "Serena Williams Drake beef" isn't just about a breakup; it’s a weird, multi-year saga involving rap feuds, petty lyrics, and a Reddit co-founder. Most people think it started with Kendrick, but the roots go way deeper. We're talking 2011 deep.
How the Serena Williams Drake Beef Actually Started
The timeline is messy. Drake and Serena were first linked over a decade ago. It started with flirty tweets and Drake showing up at her matches. By 2015, they were caught on camera at a restaurant in Cincinnati looking very much like a couple. But here’s the thing: it was never "official."
Then came the music.
Drake has a habit of putting his life—and his exes—into his bars. In "Worst Behavior," he joked about beating her at tennis if she played with her left hand. Harmless, right? Maybe. But then things got heavy. In 2016, he dropped "Too Good" featuring Rihanna. He later told his mom, Sandi Graham, on camera that the song was specifically about Serena.
"I’m too good to you / I’m way too good to you / You take my love for granted / I just don’t understand it."
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That’s not exactly a "we’re still friends" lyric. It’s the sound of someone who felt rejected. While Drake was "schlepping" to Mason, Ohio, to watch her play, Serena was moving on. She met Alexis Ohanian in Rome around that same time. By 2017, she was married.
Drake, apparently, did not forget.
The "Groupie" Comment and the Husband Factor
The beef took a sharp turn into "petty" territory in 2022. Drake released "Middle of the Ocean" and decided to take a swipe at Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian.
The line was: "Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie."
It was a wild move. Drake was basically calling the guy who married the woman he used to follow around a "fan." Alexis, to his credit, didn't take the bait. He flipped it, tweeting that he is indeed a groupie for his wife and daughter. Serena even dropped some heart emojis on the post.
But you can’t tell me that didn't leave a mark. It’s one thing to rap about an ex; it’s another to call her husband a loser in front of the whole world. This is where the "beef" stopped being about a lost romance and started being about respect—or the lack of it.
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The Kendrick Lamar Connection
Fast forward to the 2024-2025 rap war. Kendrick Lamar didn't just target Drake’s character; he brought up his past relationships. In the song "Not Like Us," Kendrick literally warns Drake: "You better not ever speak on Serena."
When Kendrick was announced as the Super Bowl LIX Halftime performer, everyone wondered if the "Serena Williams Drake beef" would get a live update. It did. Serena didn't just stand there; she danced. She did the Crip-walk, a move she famously used at the 2012 Olympics, during the most devastating diss track in hip-hop history.
Was it shade?
Serena tried to play it down later. In an interview with Time magazine, she said it wasn't about mocking Drake. She called the interpretation "sad" and said she’s known him for years and has no negative feelings.
But then, the internet noticed something.
The Latest Shot: The "Upgrade" Like
Even if Serena is trying to be the bigger person, Drake seems to be struggling with the "letting go" part. In late 2025, Drake posted photos with rapper Sexyy Red from a tennis-themed shoot. Very on the nose.
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The kicker? A fan commented, "Serena Williams upgrade," and Drake "liked" the comment.
He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. In the world of social media beef, a "like" is a loud statement. It suggests that even after the Super Bowl, even after the Kendrick loss, the resentment is still there.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a two-sided war. Honestly? It looks more like a one-sided grudge. Serena is retired, building a business empire, and raising two kids. She’s winning. Drake, meanwhile, is still dropping "sidebar" comments and liking shady Instagram posts.
It’s a classic case of what happens when a public figure can’t handle being "the one who got away." Serena’s presence at the Super Bowl might have been "all love" for her hometown of Compton, but for Drake, it clearly felt like a betrayal.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Drama
If you’re watching this from the sidelines, there are actually a few things to take away from how these two handle conflict:
- Protect your peace: Serena rarely responds directly to the lyrics. By staying silent, she maintains her power. Drake’s constant "likes" and sub-tweets make him look like he’s still stuck in 2015.
- The "Supportive Spouse" Move: Alexis Ohanian’s response to being called a "groupie" is a masterclass in PR. If someone insults you, lean into it and make it a badge of honor. It kills the insult instantly.
- Context is King: The Crip-walk at the Super Bowl wasn't just a dance. It was a reclamation of a moment she was criticized for years ago. Sometimes, the best way to "beef" is to just live your best life as loudly as possible.
The Serena Williams Drake beef might never officially "end" with a handshake. As long as Drake has a microphone and an Instagram account, he’ll probably keep throwing subtle jabs. But as for Serena? She already won the match.
Keep an eye on Drake's next album; if there's a tennis reference in the first three tracks, you'll know exactly who he's thinking about. For now, the best way to follow this is to watch the social media interactions rather than waiting for a press release.