Serena Williams lost the Wimbledon title to Angelique Keber, but she’s still a winner on and off the court. The athlete’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, shared a tribute to his wife that had the internet in tears on Saturday, July 14.
It was Williams’ first Wimbledon since welcoming her daughter, Alexis Olympia, in September 2017. Following the birth of their baby girl, Williams, 36, underwent an emergency operation to prevent life-threatening blood clots. Ohanian noted that in his emotional Instagram message.
“Days after our baby girl was born, I kissed my wife goodbye before surgery and neither of us knew if she would be coming back,” the Reddit cofounder began. “We just wanted her to survive — 10 months later, she’s in the #Wimbledon final.”
Ohanian graciously congratulated German player Kerber, 30. “@Serenawilliams will be holding a trophy again soon — she’s got the greatest one waiting at home for her,” he added, referring to Olympia. “Our family knows she’ll win many more trophies, too. She’s just getting started. And I couldn’t be more proud.”
In his post, Ohanian included a photo of the 23-time Grand Slam champion serving the ball with her own quote, “Just getting started.”
Williams gave a speech after her defeat at the women’s final in England on Saturday. Her powerful words had Duchess Meghan choking back tears. (The Suits alum and Kate Middleton attended the match together. She called Williams, who was a guest at her nuptials to Prince Harry, her “closest friend” in a post on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig.)
“It was such an amazing tournament for me. I was really hoping to get this far,” Williams revealed during a courtside interview. “It’s obviously disappointing, but I can’ the disappointed. I have so much to look forward to. I’m literally just getting started.”
The sports legend then shared a special message for other mothers. “I was playing for you today,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “And I tried.”
Williams and Ohanian tied the knot in November 2017 in New Orleans.
