Who Has Serena Williams Dated? A Look Back at the Tennis Star’s Past Relationships, from Drake to Alexis Ohanian

Mar. 15, 2025

Drake attends the “Top Boy” Premiere on September 04, 2019 in London ; Serena Williams at The ESPY Awards on July 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA ; Alexis Ohanian attends the Costume Institute Benefit on May 01, 2023 in New York City.Photo:Mike Marsland/WireImage ; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty ; Taylor Hill/Getty

Mike Marsland/WireImage ; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty ; Taylor Hill/Getty

Serena Williamshas kept her life off the tennis court pretty private, but she has been romantically involved with a few high-profile celebrities.

Now, Williams shares two children with Ohanian: they welcomedAlexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.in 2017 andAdira River Ohanianin 2023.

“Alexis is basically the guy I’ve always told my friends to look for, since I love to give advice,” Williams toldVoguein 2017. “He’s extremely smart but not a know-it-all. He’s curious about what he doesn’t know … He puts my needs first.”

From her rumored romances to her long-time love, here’s a look back at Serena Williams’ dating history.

Brett Ratner

Brett Ratner and Serena Williams during KOS Opening Party at KOS in New York City.Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

In the early 2000s, Williams datedRush HourdirectorBrett Ratnerfor two years. He toldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2013 that they broke up because the romance wasn’t what he was looking for.

“We were best friends, and we just ended up [dating],” Ratner said. “You know how that happens. It wasn’t something I was looking for … Tennis players, they’re traveling around the world, they want their boyfriends or partners [with them].”

Common

Common and Serena Williams attend the premiere of “Date Night” at Ziegfeld Theatre on April 6, 2010 in New York City.Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

After she starred in his music video for “I Want You” in 2007, Williams dated rapper Common until around 2010. Even though they were photographed holding hands and kissing, Williams dodged most questions about their relationship. Common opened up about their time together during a 2015 appearance onThe Meredith Vieira Show.

“Not every ex-girlfriend and I are still friends, but with some, I am,” he said. “We got a great understanding, and I care about her as a person. It’s not like every other person you talk to every other day, but you know, you still have that respect. You have love for them and want to see them do well.”

Since their breakup, Common and Williams have supported each other professionally and even co-hosted an ESPN special in 2016.

Amar’e Stoudemire

Amare Stoudemire and Serena Williams attends Fashion’s Night Out: The Show on September 7, 2010 in New York City.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

For a brief moment in 2010, Williams was spotted out and about with basketball starAmar’e Stoudemire. The tennis pro and the then-New York Knicks forward were photographed together in New York City ata whiskey launchand ata fashion showin September 2010.

Their rumored relationship didn’t last long because Stoudemire proposed to his long-time girlfriend,Alexis Welch, in 2012.

Drake

Drake attends the “Top Boy” UK Premiere on September 04, 2019 in London, England ; Serena Williams attends The Fashion Awards 2024 on December 02, 2024 in London, England.Mike Marsland/WireImage ; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Mike Marsland/WireImage ; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Between 2011 and 2015, rumors circled thatWilliams was dating Drake. In 2015, the “Hotline Bling” rapper cheered her on during the U.S. Open and sat in the front row at her Fashion Week show.

Though the tennis pro maintained during a 2015 press conference that Drake was “just like family,“the rapper later confirmedthat his 2016 collaboration withRihanna, “Too Good” was about his time with the tennis pro.

“I get heavy on a couple joints, but this is more about me and Serena,” he told his mom,Sandi Graham, in an undated clip that he released in 2024. “It’s funny because when I make songs about women, I also make songs for them … I know Serena very well, and I know that she’ll hear it loud and clear, but not hate me for it because it’s lighthearted.”

In 2025, fans were reminded of Drake and Williams' brief rumored relationship whenshe danced onstagewith Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl to his hit Drake diss track “Not Like Us.”

Alexis Ohanian

Amy Sussman/WireImage

Williams met her now-husbandAlexis Ohanianwhen she invited him to sit with her during breakfast at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome in 2015. They dated for a little over a year, and he proposed in December 2016 in the same spot they first met.

The couple welcomed their first child, Olympia, on Sept. 1, 2017, and tied the knot later that year on Nov. 16, 2017, in New Orleans. Their second child, Adira, was born on Aug. 15, 2023.

Williams also isn’t the only one in her relationship who has taken a shot at Drake. In 2022, afterthe rapper called Ohanian a “groupie”on his track “Middle of the Ocean,” the Reddit co-founder posted his seeming rebuttalon X.

“The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter,” he wrote.

source: people.com