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Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Claps Back at Critics Accusing Her of Skin Bleaching

Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian just aced this comeback.

The Reddit cofounder, 42, recently addressed online trolls accusing his wife of bleaching her skin.

The tennis icon shared family photos from sister Venus Williams’ wedding on social media Jan. 6, showing Alexis standing next to his favorite ladies: Serena in a white gown and daughters Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2, in matching blue dresses.

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian responds to critics accusing her of  skin bleaching : r/MUAEntertainment

READ: Serena Williams surprises fans with a tender and personal

The legendary athlete captioned the social media photos, “Joy does not always roar sometimes it whispers. It important to savor those sweet moments… I love this picture so I wanted to share it with you.”

However, some online users speculated that Serena had used products to lighten her skin tone. In response to negative comments about her appearance, Alexis quickly came to her defense, writing alongside her X post, “Where are all the comments from idiots who don’t understand how photography lighting works.”

And when one user claimed, “Alexis wants Black people to believe we don’t know what photography lighting looks like vs blatant skin lightening,” he wrote back, “Or: photos from the same event can look different based on lighting.”

Serena has previously denied accusations of skin bleaching.

During an Instagram Live in December 2024, the 23-time Grand Slam champion addressed claims that she purposely altered her complexion after she shared a video of herself at a school event with Alexis and their two daughters.

Weighing in on the topic, Serena told viewers on the Live, “No, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin.”

Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, Olympia Ohanian, Adira Ohanian, InstagramInstagram

She went on to explain that she was volunteering at her daughter’s play in the viral video and was wearing “stage makeup” when she recorded the clip in November 2024.

“Everyone’s like, ‘Ooh, she bleached her skin,’” she said. “I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.”

Tiger Woods relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of President Donald Trump’s son, Don Jr. has captured the attention of fans and sparked possible wedding rumors.

Although the 15-time major champion has largely kept his private affairs out of the headlines, his recent decision to share a heartfelt message about their relationship has sparked fresh attention and discussion across sports and cultural media.

The two were first publicly linked late last year but managed to keep details largely out of the spotlight for months.

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump

READ: Tiger Woods silences Charlie Woods critics according to

That changed in March 2025, when Woods posted two photos of himself with Vanessa Trump on social media, confirming their connection and offering a rare glimpse into his personal life. The caption read in full:

“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”

That post marked a significant shift for Woods, who has historically shunned the kind of public sharing of his relationships that many celebrities lean into.

Previously, Woods’ only other widely confirmed relationships included ones with Lindsey Vonn and Erica Herman; the latter ended in 2023 after a longterm partnership.

White House wedding talk meets reality check

According to multiple reports at the time, Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump had been seeing each other since just before Thanksgiving, spending time together at his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.

They were said to enjoy quiet dinners and lowkey evenings rather than highprofile outings, choosing to nurture the relationship on their own terms before making it public.

Rumors that the couple might marry at the White House, given Trump’s connection to the family, have been widely circulated, especially in gossip circles and social-media speculation. But friends close to the golfer have been blunt about dismissing that notion.

“That’s bulls-t,” one friend told outlets with a laugh when asked about the White House wedding chatter back in August.

“Why would he want to get married in the White House? That doesn’t even stand up to any sort of critical thinking.”

Critics of the idea point out the awkward optics of staging such a celebration in the home of Trump’s father, especially given the family ties involved.

A Woods confidant told reporters that a destination wedding or a private celebration on one of the golfer’s properties makes far more sense than anything presidential.

While neither Woods nor Trump has publicly outlined specific plans for marriage, friends and sources have suggested that both view the partnership seriously.

Serena Williams may have stepped away from professional tennis, but her name continues to spark debate and excitement across the sport.

As the tennis world reflects on the highs and lows of the 2025 season, some influential voices are already looking far ahead. Among them is Patrick Mouratoglou, Williams’ former coach, who recently shared his hopes for what the 2026 season could bring, including a surprising wish involving the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Mouratoglou recently outlined his personal vision for the future of women’s tennis on social media, spotlighting several players he believes could define the next era.

Serena Williams

READ: Serena Williams Breaks a Major Wedding-Guest Rule in a Plunging

While he praised younger stars and their potential growth, his third and most eye-catching desire stood out clearly: seeing Serena Williams compete again on the professional stage. For many fans, the suggestion felt bold, but not entirely unrealistic.

Why a Serena return still captivates tennis fans

Despite officially retiring and welcoming her second child in 2023, Williamshas remained visibly connected to the sport. Recent training clips and workout images shared online have showcased her strength, athleticism, and commitment to fitness.

Mouratoglou pointed to these visuals as proof that Williams appears physically prepared, emphasizing her dedication and enduring love for tennis.

He also acknowledged the challenge such a comeback would present. Returning after several years away from competition, combined with the physical demands of motherhood, would test even the greatest athletes.

Still, Mouratoglou believes Williams’ unmatched mentality and competitive instincts set her apart. In his view, the question is not whether she could play again, but how close she could come to matching the world’s best after such a long break.

Fueling speculation further, Williams’ name recently appeared on the ITIA’s drug testing registry, a routine requirement for active players. While this alone does not confirm a return, it added momentum to ongoing conversations among fans and analysts alike.

Her social media presence, filled with intense training moments, has only amplified curiosity.

The final decision rests entirely with Williams. Having already reshaped tennis history, she has little left to prove. Yet the idea of her testing herself once more remains compelling. As Mouratoglou suggested, tennis lovers everywhere would eagerly watch to see what level Serena Williams could still reach, should she decide the time is right.

Whether or not a comeback ever materializes, the discussion itself highlights Williams’ lasting influence on the sport. Even in retirement, her presence continues to shape expectations, inspire athletes, and remind audiences that greatness does not fade easily with time, age, or changing priorities in life.

Since first compiling a compendium of Tiger Woods‘ most staggering statistics a decade ago, I have tried to add new insights to the list every year.

That exercise might sound challenging considering that in recent years injuries have limited Woods’ competitive schedule — but, in fact, the reservoir of “he did what?” numbers is seemingly bottomless.

Scottie Scheffler’s inspired play also has been helpful, as Scheffler’s ascent has steered me into confirming any number of superlatives on a near-weekly basis. Those deep dives not only almost exclusively lead me back to something Woods accomplished but also serve as reminders of the yawning gap between Woods and his competition — a statistical canyon that, in many instances, will never be matched.

Tiger Woods

READ: What Tiger Woods Faced While Supporting Charlie Woods at Am

Here, on the occasion of Tiger’s 50th birthday, are 50 of my favorite Tiger Woods statistics…

What Tiger Woods Faced While Supporting Charlie Woods at Amateur Tournament Speaks Volumes

For two decades, Tiger Woods couldn’t walk ten feet without causing a stampede. At a junior tournament in Florida, he stood on the range for an entire session without a single fan asking for a photo.

That’s the scene Dan Evans described on Episode #74 of The Dan Evans Show, which dropped on Christmas Eve 2025. The golf content creator had wandered into a free-entry junior event in Florida, expecting nothing remarkable. What he found was the most famous athlete in golf history standing behind his son on the practice range—and a crowd that collectively pretended not to notice.

Charlie Woods Tiger Woods

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity b

“There’s Tiger Woods standing behind Charlie Woods on the range, arms crossed, sunglasses on, hat on backwards, watching Charlie hit balls,” Evans recounted. “And here was the greatest part about it. Nobody cared there. Nobody went up to him. I didn’t see him take a single picture.”

The image lingers. Tiger Woods, the man who once required security details and crowd-control marshals just to navigate between holes, was reduced to a silhouette in the background. Not diminished—liberated.

“People were just like, ‘Hey, he’s here for his son’s tournament.’ And everyone left him alone the whole entire time,” Evans added.

For anyone who witnessed Tiger’s prime, this scene borders on fictional. During the 2000s, his presence transformed golf courses into concert venues. Galleries swelled into the thousands. Fans jockeyed for sightlines, cameras clicked without pause, and security personnel formed human barriers just to give him room to swing.

That version of Tiger still surfaces in certain contexts. At the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur in Dallas this past July, coverage confirmed Tiger walking the course alongside Charlie, drawing a gallery that far outnumbered most others, with fans and police surrounding him throughout the round.

The contrast sharpens the significance of Evans’ anecdote. At a major junior championship in Texas, the old chaos returned. At a local Florida event, it vanished entirely. The difference suggests something beyond geography—a collective understanding among fans about when to watch and when to stay back.

Charlie Woods Builds His Own Legacy Amid Tiger’s Quiet Shift

The 16-year-old has carved out his own trajectory. He claimed his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May 2025 and earned a spot on the Rolex Junior All-America First Team. Tiger, recovering from a seventh back surgery performed in October, withdrew from the PNC Championship this year—ending their five-year streak at the family event.

Evans’ story captures something statistics never will. The golf community—at least in that Florida corner of it—has learned a quiet truth: the best way to keep Tiger around is to leave him alone.

For decades, proximity to Tiger Woods meant chaos and the crush of bodies seeking a piece of history. Now, at junior events across Florida, it might simply mean witnessing a father watching his son hit balls.

No frenzy. No cameras. Just golf.

Serena Williams Breaks a Major Wedding-Guest Rule in a Plunging Gown With Y2K-Coded Sleeves

As Venus Williams married Andrea Preti in a waterside Palm Beach ceremony over the weekend, her sister and longtime tennis partner, Serena Williams, was by her side during the five-day festivities. In first photos shared of the bridal party by Vogue on December 23, the Serena Ventures founder made a striking appearance in a strapless sweetheart gown with Y2K-inspired sleeves—which also broke a major wedding-guest rule.

Acting as the bride’s maid of honor, Serena made sure her sister’s big day went smoothly and delivered a speech during the nuptials, as seen in photos shared on Instagram by Vogue on Tuesday. The mom-of-two turned heads as she proudly posed in a gown that was a sartorial faux pas: Wearing a white dress to someone else’s wedding. As she posed next to Venus in bridal party photos, Serena flouted wedding-guest dress code in a plunging sweetheart gown with subtle ruching along the bodycon column silhouette. She paired the classic white dress with a surprising Y2K-coded accessory, adding a pair of detached arm warmers that were made out of a sheer white material.

Serena Williams surprises sister with most expensive wedding gift

Getty Images Serena Williams and Venus Williams are seen front row at the Gucci Men's Spring Summer 2025 Fashion Show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 at Triennale di Milano on June 17

READ: Serena Williams Congratulates Sister Venus on Marriage to

The Olympic gold medalist styled her platinum blonde hair in a deep side part with bombshell curls, showing off her smoky eyeshadow and sculpted cheekbones. Like Venus and other bridesmaids, she also added a long pearl necklace to complete her look. In another photo, Serena changed into a mint green slip dress with delicate spaghetti straps as she sang and shimmied on the dance floor.
Getty Images Serena Williams is seen in Chelsea on November 10
Getty Images Serena and Venus Williams at the 2024 ESPYS
 

While wearing white as a wedding guest is typically frowned upon, it appears that Serena’s white gown was by design and fully approved by the bride. In Venus’s group photo with her bridesmaids, all the women could be seen dressed in the typically bridal hue with similar white necklaces, hinting that Venus wanted a uniform look for her wedding.

Rory McIlroy’s unexpected friendship with Meghan Markle that caused dramas exposed

Before tying the knot with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle generally maintained privacy around her personal relationships and even implemented a social media restriction at her initial wedding to Trevor Engelson.

Nevertheless, following her 2014 divorce, whispers about her connections with Rory McIlroy swiftly captured public attention. Rory, who claimed the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award on Thursday night, and Meghan initially met when the golfing champion challenged her to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge 11 years ago.

Meghan Markle

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity b

Footage of Rory, who was recently single at the time, drenching Meghan with icy water, sparked widespread rumors about a potential romantic connection, according to the Daily Mail.

Meghan also praised Rory as the “real deal” and described him as a “force” in a preserved entry on her former blog. At one stage, speculation that Meghan, then 33, and Rory, then 25, were romantically linked became so intense that the actress’s previous partner reportedly challenged her about it.

Celebrity chefs ‘angry questioning

Cory Vitiello and Meghan Markle

Royal biographer Tom Bower alleged that celebrity chef Cory Vitiello, who was involved with Meghan during that period, “angrily” questioned the former Suits actress about whether there “had been an affair” following reports that she and Rory had shared dinner in Dublin.

“Emphatically, Meghan denied she had betrayed Cory. She and McIlroy were just friends, she said,” Bower documented in his book Revenge. Based on Bower’s account, their connection began after Meghan agreed to Rory’s Ice Bucket Challenge invitation, with the stipulation that he personally drench her at her friend’s apartment in NYC.

The pair filmed the challenge to raise awareness for ALS, with Meghan posting the video on her Vimeo account. The clip showed Rory, perched on a step ladder, dousing Meghan with icy water to fundraise for various ALS organizations.

Later that night, John Fitzpatrick, an Irish hotelier and self-proclaimed “huge fan of Suits,” spotted Rory and Meghan at his Fitzpatrick Hotel. He extended an invitation for them to join him and 18 other friends for dinner at Cipriani.

The following morning, Rory embarked on a 30-mile journey to Ringwood golf course for a competition but didn’t perform well. Feeling the effects of the previous night’s festivities, he slipped to 101st place and promptly “drove back to New York to see Meghan,” according to Bower.

Meghan’s heartfelt tribute to ‘cherished’ Rory.

Shortly thereafter, Meghan penned a glowing tribute to Rory on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. She hailed the athlete as the “foremost golfer in the world.

“Ah yes. Rory Mcllroy,” the future Duchess penned. “THE Rory Mcllroy. Whispered (and shouted) to be the foremost golfer in the world, loved by Tiger, respected by Palmer, and dumper of frigid water on my lone head for the ALS Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.”

She lauded his “work/play ethic” and “endearing quality,” describing him as “as real and honest as they come.” Meghan highlighted Rory’s “love for his parents” as something “rarely seen in men his age. Or at any age, to be honest. “He is not just the real deal… he is real. And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished,” she wrote.

Dublin reunion sparks further rumors

Two months later, Meghan and Rory reunited in Dublin after Meghan reportedly “lobbied hard” to secure an invitation to the esteemed One Young World summit. Bower suggested that Meghan, who gained fame from her role in Suits, was realizing that “celebrity in Hollywood was enhanced by philanthropy and activism.”

At the event, Meghan spoke about gender equality alongside tech entrepreneur Sheryl Sandberg and film director Maya Sanbar. This boost to her career also fueled rumors of a romantic relationship with Rory after they were seen dining at a high-end Dublin restaurant.

Meghan appeared “smitten” as she “gazed intensely” at Rory, while a source told Irish reporter Alexandra Ryan that they “sat beside each other looking very cosy and chatted all night.”

Bower alleges that Meghan’s friends in Ireland also “assumed” the pair had “met unseen, earlier during her visit.”

With Love, Meghan

Chef boyfriend’s confrontations

However, Meghan had traveled to Dublin from Toronto with Cory, a trip that “some would suggest was paid for by Rory.”

Meghan described Cory as her “very favorite chef,” and they were together for two years before ending their relationship just two months prior to her blind date with Prince Harry.

But Meghan’s friendship with Rory reportedly caused tension early on in her relationship with Cory. Bower revealed that Cory asked Meghan in the summer of 2014 if she was “having a relationship” with the golf star.

Meghan reportedly “insisted their time together was innocent” and Cory “believed her.” However, reports of Meghan and Rory’s Dublin dinner allegedly “annoyed Cory” who “angrily” asked again if there “had been an affair.

“Emphatically, Meghan denied that she had betrayed Cory,” insisting they were “just friends,” wrote Bower. “Once more, he believed her.” The following day, Ryan penned an updated article portraying Cory and Meghan as “madly in love” and “sewn at the hip” throughout their entire stay in Ireland – much to Meghan’s “relief.” The golfer was not her future,” Bower observed.

Rory and Meghan’s fairy tale conclusions.

Following their alleged romantic connection, both Rory and Meghan discovered lasting love. Meghan notably married Prince Harry in May 2018 after they met through a blind date arrangement in 2016.

Meanwhile, Rory started a relationship with Erica Stoll in 2015, and the pair tied the knot in April 2017. Though they temporarily filed for divorce after seven years of marriage, they reunited just one month later. Rory and Erica are parents to a five-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Serena Williams Congratulates Sister Venus on Marriage to Andrea Preti, Says Seeing Her ‘Built-in Best Friend’ So ‘Loved’ Means ‘Everything’ to Her

The Williams sisters have each other’s backs on the court — and down the aisle.

In a new Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Serena Williams gushed about her older sister Venus Williams following Venus’ wedding to actor Andrea Preti. “My sister’s keeper,” Serena, 44, began the lengthy caption. “Venus, where do I even begin?”

Serena went on to describe the way she’s seen Venus lead with “grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy” as the two professional tennis players grew from “backyard courts” to “the biggest stages in the world.”

Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andrea Preti

READ: What Novak Djokovic said the umpire shouldn’t have done after Serena Williams

“Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise,” she continued.

“You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant… it means everything to me. To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always,” the caption concluded.

Serena wore a white strapless mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline, flowing cape and detached lace sleeves. Pearl jewelry and pointed-toe heels accessorized the design, as did her old-Hollywood-inspired blonde waves and red manicure.

Serena and Venus Williams Team Up Once Again — But This Time, It’s Off the Court: ‘We’re So Much More Than Sport’ (Exclusive)

While usually taboo for anyone but the bride to wear white, the choice seemed intentionally made by Venus, 45, who also had their two other sisters, Lyndrea Price and Isha Price, niece Justus, and mom Oracene dressed in white.

In the months leading up to the wedding, Serena told PEOPLE during the launch of her and Venus’ new podcast, Stockton Street, in September 2025, that she was busy with “so much planning” ahead of her older sister’s wedding. She noted that Venus leaned on her for help as she’s known as someone who can “get things done.”

Serena also recalled one of their recent planning calls, saying her sister wanted her input on “literally 14 hairstyles.” She explained, “So she sent me her options and within 30 minutes I had them not only done, but in a PDF file what hairstyle looked best on everyone.”

Venus Williams and Serena Williams with Champagne Collet & OBC Wines as they celebrate the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

 

“I’m the person that arranges things, I’m like the planner. I plan everything like the event. I’m the person that gets things done,” she added of her role.

Venus and Preti were first linked in July 2024 when they were seen boating in Nerano, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. After months of rumors, she finally confirmed the relationship during a post-match interview in July 2025 when she referred to Preti as her “fiancé.”

In 2025, Venus and Preti actually got married twice. The first ceremony came in September, when they tied the knot in Italy. They were wed again on Dec. 19 in a courthouse ceremony in West Palm Beach, Fla., following a full week of festivities before the big day.

Prior to the courthouse ceremony, Venus, Preti, and their guests enjoyed a yacht day, romantic dinner, and a bridal shower.

“For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep,” Preti told Vogue, adding that “it was the second-best day” of his life, after the wedding itself.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity by Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka’s choice to part ways with LIV Golf after the 2025 season was presented as a personal and friendly decision, but the timing of his departure could align perfectly for him to be picked up by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL digital golf league.

The five-time PGA Tour major champion and high-profile golfer will cease participating in LIV events starting in 2026 after fulfilling this year’s commitments. He pointed to family priorities, including his son Crew with his wife Jena, and a challenging year that included a publicly announced miscarriage in October 2025, as factors influencing his career decisions.

“Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” his management team stated. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil also clarified that Koepka’s exit was not related to performance, tension, or politics.

Golf: Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy among golfers given  exemptions for US Open | The Straits Times

READ: Rory McIlroy confirms reason wife Erica Stoll missed his lat

The TGL joint venture between McIlroy and Woods continues to gather steam, with potential buyers even expressing interest in acquiring expansion franchises beyond the league’s seven teams. The tech-savvy league is based entirely in South Florida, approximately a 17-minute drive from Koepka’s hometown of West Palm Beach.

Koepka resides in Pennock Point, a $9 million waterfront property in Jupiter, situating him less than an hour from the venue and solidly within the same South Florida ecosystem that already includes Woods, McIlroy, and several other top-tier players.

TGL’s schedule fits perfectly with Koepka’s desire to remain close to home, while its television-friendly format suits his requirements. PGA Tour regulations bar players who defect to the rival circuit from competing for one year following their last appearance, making Koepka immediately ineligible.

The PGA Tour responded to the development, stating: “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success.”

Although no official agreement has been confirmed, fans have already started piecing together clues online, noting that limited options would enable Koepka to maintain proximity to home while remaining involved in elite-level competition.

Speculation heated up earlier this year after Koepka was seen attending a TGL match last February where The Bay Golf Club topped Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club. Koepka attracted attention by rising to his feet and applauding Kevin Kisner following a shank shot recognized as the league’s first.

Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 through a deal estimated at around $100 million. Despite being contracted through 2026, he departed prior to completing his final season. He led Smash GC as captain but will now be succeeded by Talor Gooch.

TGL’s compensation model included a $21 million prize pool in Season 1, with the championship team collecting $9 million by season’s end. With four players per team, individual payouts exceeded $2 million for each member.

Last year, Atlanta Drive Golf Club triumphed over New York Golf Club 2-0 in the best-of-three finals to clinch the title. The team is composed of Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.

Rory McIlroy confirms reason wife Erica Stoll missed his latest award win

Rory McIlroy has disclosed that his wife, Erica Stoll, and daughter, Poppy, were absent for his BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 triumph. He revealed that the duo remained in the United States while the golf icon is scheduled to reunite with them on Friday following his festivities in Salford.

McIlroy wrapped up an incredible 2025 with one last accolade, defeating contenders including F1 world champion Lando Norris and darts phenom Luke Littler. The Northern Irishman finally captured the Masters this year to achieve a career Grand Slam before contributing to Europe’s triumph in the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy explained why his wife Erica Stoll missed the Sports Personality of the Year award

READ: Tiger Woods’ next role comes alongside an unlikely wingman

The 36 year old, alongside Tommy Fleetwood, also received the Team of the Year honor during a triumphant evening. McIlroy honored his fellow contenders and family while acknowledging the influence Erica and Poppy had on his remarkable year.

“First of all I’d like to congratulate the other finalists, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes,” said McIlroy on stage. “It’s a pleasure just to be in this room and I feel honoured just to be a part, so congratulations.

“Look 2025 was the year I made my dreams come true, from Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It really has been the year that dreams are made of.”, reports the Mirror.

“I have a lot of people to thank, firstly the public for voting for me, but my family, my mum and dad. They sacrificed so much for me and I wouldn’t be here without them. Thank you.

“My wife Erica, my daughter Poppy. They’re what holds me together, they’re my rock.

Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year award

“They couldn’t be here tonight, they are back in America, but I can’t wait to get back to see them tomorrow and celebrate with them. I can’t wait to see you, I love you.”

Before the award announcement, McIlroy was asked about how fatherhood has shifted his perspective.

He expressed his deep respect for Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, two fathers who ran the London Marathon in memory of their daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, who tragically lost their lives at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport in July 2024.

“I think being a father of a little girl, seeing the dads up there tonight, they are absolute heroes,” said McIlroy.

“Being a dad, it makes the losses a lot easier. It makes the wins even more special to be able to share that with Erica [wife] and Poppy [daughter].

“My family, they’ve watched me go through all of this like I’m sure a lot of the public has. I feel like everyone’s been on this journey with me.”