Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams, seemingly from entirely disparate backgrounds, once believed they could only be transient strangers in each other’s lives. However, love, by its very nature, defies expectation and logic.

Alexis Ohanian, a Caucasian tech millionaire who has never witnessed a tennis match, and Serena Williams, a Black woman considered one of the top 10 tennis players in history, with little interest in social media, appeared to hail from entirely disparate spheres. Initially, they may have assumed they were destined to merely cross paths as strangers. Yet, love, with its enigmatic nature, defies all odds and expectations.

First met in Italy

A common pondering among many individuals revolves around the question of where they will encounter their lifelong partner. On-screen portrayals often depict serendipitous meetings, ranging from two individuals crossing paths during a solo journey to chance encounters on the bustling streets. Alternatively, it could be as simple as altering one habit, leading to an immediate connection with someone you cherish, akin to the experience of Serena and Alexis.

In 2015, Serena traveled to Rome for the Italian Open. Not one to typically indulge in breakfast, Serena made a spontaneous decision to join her colleagues and manager for a meal at the Cavalieri Hotel. By chance, Serena’s group arrived shortly after Warren Buffett had finished his meal, allowing them to secure a spot in the pool area and place their order.

Coincidentally, Alexis Ohanian, the founder of the social media platform Reddit, was also staying at the same hotel. He had come to Italy to attend the Global Media Conference. At the time, the tech millionaire’s primary concern was finding a spot to enjoy his coffee, put on his headphones, and focus on his work. As luck would have it, he ended up seated next to Serena’s table.

Different things

Serena and Alexis didn’t experience love at first sight, which is perfectly normal. While conversing with the renowned sports icon, Alexis simply thought to himself, “She is beautiful and charming.” Coming out of a recently ended five-year relationship, he wasn’t ready to open his heart to someone new. Additionally, Alexis is an avid fan of football and basketball. Even though he was seated in front of the “Queen of Tennis,” his admiration for her didn’t increase significantly.

Alexis admitted that he had never watched a tennis match in person nor even spared a passing glance at it on TV. As a result, he didn’t particularly appreciate the sport.

Serena initially believed that Alexis was focused on Jessica, another player in the group. Throughout their time together, Serena only feigned interest in discussing the Reddit page he had founded.

Serena’s roster of past boyfriends includes well-known figures, ranging from rappers Common and Drake to the renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou. A handsome, intellectual individual with a passion for technology didn’t appear to align with her typical romantic preferences.

Their next encounter occurred a month later in Paris when Serena extended an invitation to Alexis to watch her match in the French Open as a friend. Unexpectedly, the two ended up wandering together for six hours. While strolling past a candy stall at the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden, Alexis noticed Serena’s excitement and bought some for her.

Alexis’s kindness, coupled with Serena’s wit and the romantic ambiance of the French capital, quietly sparked the beginnings of love between them.

“This is the girl I want to marry”

In the subsequent dates, Alexis quickly realized that Serena was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. For Alexis, Serena serves as an inspiration, helping him to strive for the best version of himself.

He had previously believed that he was facing significant challenges, working long hours—often up to 18 hours a day—and frequently falling asleep at his laptop. However, witnessing Serena’s dedication to her craft, particularly her rigorous practice routines before each match, changed his perspective. Alexis remarked, “She works harder than anyone in Silicon Valley.”

According to Vanity Fair, Serena’s meticulous attention to her game led her to spend an additional three hours practicing 2,500 more shots, driven by her determination to minimize mistakes during training sessions. Every missed shot prompted her to repeat the process until perfection was achieved.

Serena’s relentless drive to succeed and her unwavering determination became a source of inspiration for Alexis to strive for greater success in life. Being in Serena’s presence, witnessing her high standards and way of life, ignited a desire within Alexis to become an even better individual.

On December 10, 2016, Alexis decided to propose to Serena at the very place where they first met: the Cavalieri Hotel. He had been meticulously planning this moment for several months, wanting to surprise the woman he deeply loved.

As per the itinerary, Serena was slated to partake in an exhibition event in India, prompting the manager to propose a stopover at the Cavalieri on her way back home. However, unforeseen circumstances led to the abrupt cancellation of the exhibition, eliminating the need for Serena to travel to Italy. Additionally, Serena had commenced training for the Australian Open, making it challenging to justify a leisure trip. To avoid arousing suspicion, Serena could potentially arrange for a layover in Rome under the guise of a connecting flight to her training destination for the Australian Open. This approach would allow her to visit the Cavalieri Hotel without raising any eyebrows.

The ending

Contrary to the stereotype of tech-savvy individuals who are often perceived as emotionally reserved, Alexis presents a starkly contrasting image. Perhaps, it’s the power of love that propels him to go above and beyond to ensure his partner’s happiness, as evidenced by his meticulous planning of a memorable proposal.

To catch Serena off guard, Alexis enlisted the help of her team members. Serena’s assistant covertly packed her luggage, while another individual fabricated an important meeting to deceive her into heading to the airport. During the flight to Italy, Serena had a vague inkling of what might be happening.

However, what she didn’t anticipate was the grandeur of Alexis’s proposal. Not only did he kneel on one knee, presenting a diamond ring in a scene reminiscent of a classic movie, but he had also adorned the entire pool area with decorations. The space was adorned with flowers, and a small plastic mouse, reminiscent of their first encounter, was placed on the table, adding a sentimental touch to the moment.