I Was So Distracted by Serena Williams’s Off-the-Shoulder Number That I Almost Missed This Royal Reunion

Serena Williams certainly know how to hold a spotlight. The tennis superstar has always been someone to watch, both on and off the court, but in the years since her retirement from professional sports she’s definitely amped things up when it comes to her wardrobe. Which is perhaps why I almost totally missed Williams’s recent reunion with royal bestie Meghan Markle at the Baby2Baby Gala earlier this month.

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READ: What Bill Clinton told Serena Williams after winning her first Grand

The two California gals have a friendship that goes way back, although they haven’t been spotted together in public in some time. Last summer the pair shut the ESPYs red carpet down posing together is two drastically different halterneck gowns Williams went with bold red scale-shaped sequins and feather embellishment, while Markle opted for simple white silk very reminiscent of her Stella McCartney wedding reception dress.

This time around both women went with classic black (Markle in a full-coverage turtleneck and Williams in an old-Hollywood off-the-should beauty), looking supremely elegant while celebrating a good cause and Williams’s award.

Of course, Markle’s husband Prince Harry was there too. Unsurprisingly, he opted for a classic black suit for the evening, but was sure to pin on a red poppy to his jacket to mark the UK’s Remembrance Day. What a chic trio!

Here’s hoping we’re treated to more BFF moments with Markle and Williams in the near future.

Serena Williams’ legs give out during intense move sending her lower than planned

When it comes to having fun, no duo does it quite like the Williams sisters. This time, far away from the tennis court, Serena and Venus teamed up with Ciara to prove they can deliver impressive moves off the court too. What began as a light-hearted challenge quickly turned into a moment blending personality, competitiveness, and an unexpectedly comedic twist.

Nothing sparks their competitive spirit like a good challenge, and Ciara had the perfect one lined up. She set the rhythm with her signature dance moves, and the Williams sisters followed her lead, trying to match her style. Their confident, smooth steps immediately caught attention, but they soon realized that pulling off the routine required more than strong legs.

A challenge that showed off their competitive side

READ: Days After Her Tennis Stint With Daughter, Serena Williams Makes

Venus was the first to step back, admitting her legs weren’t ready to dip that low. Serena, however, leaned into her confidence and went for the full move, lowering herself in an attempt to match Ciara’s sultry choreography. That’s when her legs gave out, shifting the tone from seductive to surprising in a matter of seconds. What was meant to be a controlled dip turned into an unexpected drop.

Luckily, a wall broke her fall, though it didn’t spare her from bumping her head before slowly sliding down until she ended up sitting on the floor. She intended to go low – just not low enough to end up seated after the fall.

From smooth choreography to viral TikTok

The scene set off instant laughter between the three, turning what could have been an awkward moment into a memorable one. It quickly became ideal TikTok material. Ciara took full advantage, posting the video in collaboration with the Williams sisters, sparking thousands of delighted reactions from fans.

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The trio offered a reminder that even legends know how to laugh at themselves. And while the dance didn’t go exactly as Serena planned, she made one thing clear: she’s always ready for a challenge – and even when her legs give out, she still finds a way to win.

Serena Williams Makes Her Position Clear on Not Liking Pickleball, Days After Her Tennis Stint With Daughter Adira

Serena Williams conquered the tennis world with power and precision, but a much smaller court apparently got the best of her. During a recent interview, the 23-time Grand Slam champion made a surprising admission: she avoids pickleball because of an injury.

While she remains active on the tennis court with her daughters, the trendy paddle sport is currently off-limits for the legend.

READ: Serena Williams Sends Heartfelt Message on ‘Love Showing Up’

Why Does Serena Williams Avoid Playing Pickleball?

Williams appeared on “Good Sports with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson” on Amazon Prime Video when the conversation turned to the popular paddle sport. Hart pressed the Saginaw, Michigan, native about her stance, leading to a candid revelation about why she stays away from the pickleball court.

Hart asked, “Serena, look, I know this is highly controversial, but I have to ask anyway, are you pro pickleball? What the f*** was that? What was that?”

Williams explained that despite her prowess with a tennis racket, the mechanics of pickleball caused unexpected issues. She noted that the equipment differences played a major role in her injury.

She replied, “I’m a tennis player, you know, and so I love paddle. I love tennis, but only because I hurt myself playing pickle. And I’m used to playing with tennis rackets, and that pickleball racket is actually way heavier than a tennis racket, if you can imagine, it’s way smaller. And so ever since I kind of hurt myself, I’ve been like, but yeah. I do, I love to paddle. I think it’s so fun.”

The comedian immediately seized the opportunity to tease the tennis icon about her answer. Hart jokingly framed her injury admission as a declaration of war against pickleball enthusiasts. Hart said, “Well, you heard it here first, pickleball community, Serena Williams hates you. I mean, I don’t know what’s happening here, but whatever. It’s breaking on this show, breaking news.”

Despite the pickleball setback, Williams continues to spend time on the tennis court. She recently shared heartwarming moments from a practice session with her youngest daughter, Adira. Williams shares Adira, 2, and Alexis Olympia Ohanian, 8, with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, the former executive chairman and co-founder of Reddit. Reflecting on the special moment with Adira, Williams added, “This is me sharing my passion for tennis with my youngest daughter.”

This caution with new sports aligns with the physical toll her legendary career took on her body. The four-time Olympic gold medallist battled various physical ailments throughout her playing days, including knee surgery in 2003, foot injuries, and a serious lung blood clot.

Serena Williams knows a thing or two about dedication, but her latest message focuses on something more personal: how true affection manifests in everyday life.

The WTA legend recently reflected on love and how people express it through actions, reliability, support, and effort. Earlier, the legendary American player spent time with her younger daughter, Adira, on the tennis court, teaching her the sport in which she cemented her legacy as one of the greatest women players of all time.

How Does Serena Williams Define Real Love?

READ: Serena Williams’ Unexpected Admission About Her Post-injury Ro

Williams shares two daughters with Reddit co-founder, investor, and internet entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian: Alexis Olympia Ohanian, born in September 2017, and Adira River Ohanian, born in August 2023.

Through a recent X post, the winner of 73 WTA singles titles, including 23 major women’s singles titles, shared her thoughts on love and its various expressions. The American icon added that genuine affection reveals itself through consistent support and presence.

She shared, “I don’t know who needs to hear this but: Love shows up. If someone loves you they show you in many ways. Small ways, big ways, average ways but they show up. They answer. They are there when you need them.”

After bidding adieu to her decorated tennis career in September 2022, Williams returned to the courts. This time, she did not compete but taught Adira her sport. She shared several glimpses of their practice session through an Instagram post, highlighting their heartfelt connection on the court.

In her caption, the recipient of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports added, “This is me sharing my passion for tennis with my youngest daughter.”

During an interview with Parents in March 2025, Williams shared her admiration for observing her daughters’ growth. Regarding the rewarding experience, she disclosed, “Watching them grow and discover who they are is incredible. They bring so much life, joy, and excitement to everything, and seeing the world through their eyes makes each moment feel truly meaningful.”

Williams, who partnered with Janie and Jack for a special limited collection featuring her daughters, also reflected on the lesson she wants to impart to them. She said, “I want them to always be certain of who they are and never shy away from being themselves. Whether it’s through fashion or in life, it’s about celebrating what sets them apart and feeling strong and comfortable with who they are.”

In every chapter of her life, Williams keeps proving that love isn’t just spoken, but lived, felt, and passed on.

Serena Williams’ Unexpected Admission About Her Post-injury Routine Sparks Buzz

Last year around this time, Serena Williams decided to try something new. “I’m trying to compete – not compete, rephrase – trying to do a half-marathon. That’s my new goal,” she said.

Over the last few years, her social media feed has been filled with glimpses of family life, adventures with her children and husband, and snapshots from her fitness journey. But even three years after hanging up the racket, Williams is facing setbacks that feel very familiar. And, true to form, it’s still not enough to stop her.

On Thursday, Serena turned to her Instagram story with a surprising update. “So, I don’t know what’s happened to me lately. I’ve been so lazy, and I was training earlier this year for a half-marathon, and it didn’t go so well. I mean, it was going good, then I got injured. I sustained an injury in my leg,” she said. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

READ: Serena Williams confesses that she has overcome a difficult health

The 23-time Grand Slam champion knows all too well what it means to deal with injuries. Her worst setback came in 2010, when she suffered severe foot cuts after stepping on broken glass. The injury caused tendon damage, required two surgeries, and kept her off the court for nearly a year. Another unforgettable moment came at Wimbledon in 2021, when a painful hamstring injury forced her to withdraw mid-match. Many saw that moment as the beginning of her final chapter in the sport. Perhaps that memory resurfaced as she prepared for the half-marathon. Coming back from an injury never gets easier.

“That was four months ago, maybe five, and I haven’t really done cardio since,” she admitted. “So, I’m back at it. The half-marathon I wanted to do is in February; I think I can still make it. I just got to get serious. The only thing I’m really good at, like, focus on is tennis.”

But does any actually doubt Serena Williams’ discipline? It was practically her trademark, instilled early under her father’s watchful eye. And with more than two decades of dominance and countless titles, few rival her drive. Injury never slowed her down for long. She even won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant. Now to mention, she worked hard on her weight loss journey and was dedicated to it for a long time!

Determination and grit have always defined her. But now, even she seems amused by her own admission. “Isn’t that weird? Don’t you find that curious, that I’m telling you I’m not very disciplined? I mean, I am…just not when it comes to doing cardio and stuff. Can y’all relate?”

It’s an honest and open talk with fans who can certainly relate to her. It’s no walk in the park to return to intense exercise after taking a short break, either due to an injury or otherwise. But speaking of discipline and chasing a goal, Serena also made a surprising admission about her tennis career.

Was tennis Serena Williams’ dream to follow?

Last month, Serena sat down with ABC Sports and gave a glimpse into the driving force behind her epic journey. She said, “He’s the main reason my sister, and I played tennis. It was his idea; he wanted us to have a better life for ourselves than he had. And we did, we achieved it. We worked very hard, we listened to what he and our mother told us.” You can’t miss how much family shaped her path.

Reflecting on her globe-spanning career, Serena described it as a dream that brought both highs and lows. “My career has been a journey and a dream that has taken me far and wide. I’ve been to every corner of the world thanks to tennis. It’s brought me great joy many times, and also great sadness on occasion—that happens with every sport.” It’s real talk about the emotional ride behind the trophies.

Tennis, for Serena Williams, has been a blessing, and a challenge wrapped into one. It pushed her to grow tough and stay hungry. She nailed it perfectly: “Tennis has taught me discipline; it’s taught me to strive. It’s given me so much… I’m still benefiting from tennis. And all of this started with my father’s prompting.” The seeds planted early on are still bearing fruit.

Richard Williams’ vision went far beyond winning titles. It was about building character and opportunities no one before them had. Serena ultimately walked away with 23 Grand Slams, 73 titles, and an incredible 858/156 win-loss record. She’s also racked up Hall of Fame honors: National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2024, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2025, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame awaits in 2027.