Serena Williams Asked Her Dad to Coach Daughter Olympia Because She’s ‘Too Nice’: ‘Don’t Want to Over-Push’

The tennis pro shares her two daughters with husband Alexis Ohanian

Serena Williams isn’t sure how to give her daughters that same extra push her dad gave to her and sister Venus Williams.

Speaking to The New York Times about her new documentary series In the Arena: Serena Williams, the tennis pro and mom of two, 42, was asked about her dad, who famously coached his two daughters to become tennis greats after seeing something in them when they were little. Williams is mom to daughters Olympia, 6½, and Adira, 9 months, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian.

Asked if she sees something yet in her two daughters, Williams says she’s not sure. “I always look at my dad, and I think, ‘How were you able to do that?’ Because I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re so cute. I just want them to relax and I don’t want to over-push them,'” she responds.

“But I would be devastated if I wasn’t pushed, because we wouldn’t be having this interview and there would never have been a Serena Williams. So I feel so fortunate that I had an opportunity to have that extra oomph.”

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Serena Williams Asked Her Dad to Coach Daughter Olympia Because She’s ‘Too Nice’: ‘Don’t Want to Over-Push’
The tennis pro shares her two daughters with husband Alexis Ohanian

By Hannah Sacks Published on June 17, 2024 02:20PM EDT
Serena Williams at Balmain RTW Fall 2024 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week
Serena Williams . PHOTO: SWAN GALLET/WWD VIA GETTY IMAGES
Serena Williams isn’t sure how to give her daughters that same extra push her dad gave to her and sister Venus Williams.

Speaking to The New York Times about her new documentary series In the Arena: Serena Williams, the tennis pro and mom of two, 42, was asked about her dad, who famously coached his two daughters to become tennis greats after seeing something in them when they were little. Williams is mom to daughters Olympia, 6½, and Adira, 9 months, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian.

Asked if she sees something yet in her two daughters, Williams says she’s not sure. “I always look at my dad, and I think, ‘How were you able to do that?’ Because I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re so cute. I just want them to relax and I don’t want to over-push them,'” she responds.

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“But I would be devastated if I wasn’t pushed, because we wouldn’t be having this interview and there would never have been a Serena Williams. So I feel so fortunate that I had an opportunity to have that extra oomph.”

However, Williams shares that she’s having a hard time “connecting to that extra push,” which is something she’s been trying to figure out. “Because it’s definitely worth it, I can confirm from experience,” adds the professional athlete.

“But what do I see? The 8-month-old is so tiny, but Olympia is such a bright light, and she’s so athletic, to the point where it’s just not even humanly possible,” Williams continues. “Even Venus, she was like, ‘That kid has more talent than you and I combined,’ and she’s not lying.”

“So I can see how my dad may have seen some potential in us. I’m just trying to figure out a way to harness all that. I already told my dad, ‘Maybe you have to coach her, because I’m too nice.'”