Serena Williams's Husband Posts Heartwarming Family Photo, Prompting Online Reactions

A quiet moment shared online at the start of the year carried more weight than it first appeared. Framed by soft light, florals, and a sense of occasion, a single image offered a glimpse into a private family celebration, one that immediately resonated with thousands of viewers.

The photograph surfaced on January 2, 2026, when Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, shared an Instagram post reflecting on the New Year. At first glance, it appeared to be a polished family portrait.

A Moment That Quietly Spotlighted Their Children

The image captured the family of four against a softly lit backdrop of greenery and flowers, creating an elegant, fairytale-like scene. Ohanian stood to the side in a black suit, holding a smiling Adira River Ohanian in a pink tulle skirt. At the same time, Williams wore a strapless, pale pink satin gown, her hand resting on their older child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who wore a light blue, sparkly dress.

Together, their coordinated looks and relaxed, affectionate poses convey warmth, closeness, and celebration. Ohanian captioned the image, "Late! But Happy New Year!! This shot is from V's wedding, actually, but what a beautiful wedding, and let me brag a second about our two perfect little girls, AKA elite flower girls."

While the post anchored the image in a recent family milestone, it subtly shifted attention toward the couple's children.

Social Media Reacts

It didn't take long for followers to flood the comments with emotional reactions, many of whom focused on how quickly the children appear to be growing. One commenter wrote, "The baby looks just like daddy 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰." Another added, "I wasn't ready for the girls to be that big 😭❤️."

Others lingered on the details and expressions captured in the image. "Beautiful family! Little one has a joyous, heaven sent smile! Made my day to see that," one person commented. Another gushed, "Oh my goodness Adria's smile is contagious. I can't stop smiling at her smile. And Princess Olympia is getting taller and taller. Beautiful family. 😍❤️"

The admiration continued with a longer reflection, "Wait.. wait! The baby with the cute tiny baby teeth and smile..!!!! She's definitely charismatic and charming.🥰😊 And the Mother…wait..! Is she wearing a Crown..??? ..So fitting!!!.. what a beautiful family all in all! Happy New Year! 2026!🔥👍🏿🙏🏿🌹"

Still others echoed a familiar refrain among the celebrity parents. "Both girls look like dad," a comment read.

The image, rooted in a private family celebration, resonated widely, showing how rare, intimate moments can become gentle reminders of time passing, children growing, and the public's enduring fascination with seeing familiar figures simply together as a family.

While the family photo captured a tender, private moment, Williams's recent appearance abroad returned the tennis icon to the center of public scrutiny on a far more formal stage. In October 2025, the tennis icon made a dazzling appearance in northern Spain, where she received the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.

The 43-year-old former tennis player, Williams, arrived in Asturias for the prestigious event wearing a figure-hugging brown dress that showed off her noticeably slimmer frame.

Warm Welcome with Traditional Music

Williams, who has been open about her health and fitness journey since stepping away from professional tennis, looked radiant as she joined in a welcoming ceremony featuring traditional bagpipe music.

On October 23, Williams shared a carousel of the moment on Instagram, writing, "I never had a welcome like this. I was so humbled. This is the official welcome for the Princess of Asturias Awards for Sports in northern Spain."

The official Fundación Princesa de Asturias page also shared a clip showing the bagpipes playing in her honor. In the video, Williams smiled and swayed slightly to the music. The gesture delighted some fans but drew criticism from others who felt it was inappropriate for the formal ceremony.

Netizens Question Dance and Dress Choice

One Instagrammer commented, "I love Serena, but they could have explained to her that this music has nothing to do with belly dancing 😋." Another wrote, "Are you trying to do a sensual dance with bagpipes [sic]."

Others criticized her attire and demeanor, with one saying, "not funny, not very polite." Another person added, "What a lack of respect for the event, for the bagpipers, anyway…"

Comments also poured in across platforms about her outfit, with some noting that her choice seemed odd for the occasion's tone. "The dress and her dance are not for the occasion," one person wrote, while another observed, "Shes so uncomfortable [sic]."

"A little out of place…" one comment read, while another stated, "She's a great athlete, but her outfit is totally inappropriate for the occasion." On Facebook, the criticism continued, with one netizen writing, "How rude."

The public reaction to her appearance underscored how closely fans still follow Williams's life off the court. For the retired champion, moments like this highlight her ongoing influence — not just in sports but in culture and style.

Williams's glowing appearance in Asturias also reflects a more profound personal transformation. In recent months, the tennis superstar has opened up about the health decision that finally helped her overcome years of postpartum weight struggles, leading to the striking results fans are now noticing.

Williams Opens up About Postpartum Struggles

In an interview with People on August 21, 2025, Williams discussed her struggle to lose weight after becoming a mother and the treatment that finally worked after years of intense training and healthy eating failed to produce results.

Her challenges began after the birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite following a strict fitness routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Williams said her body didn't respond the way it used to.

"I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained," she recalled. "It was crazy because I'd never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at [sic]."

For someone who had built a career on hard work and consistency, the lack of progress was particularly discouraging. "I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best," Williams said.

She also expressed frustration at putting in so much effort without seeing results, an experience that challenged her usual sense of control over her body.

Medical Treatment Offers a New Path

Williams's challenges persisted after the birth of her second daughter, Adira River, in 2023. Still committed to a healthy routine, she eventually realized that her usual methods weren't enough.

In early 2024, after she stopped breastfeeding, Williams decided to try a medical approach. She began using a GLP-1 medication prescribed through Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company.

GLP-1 — short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists — is a class of medications that helps regulate appetite by affecting satiety signals in the brain.

The ex-athlete admitted she was initially nervous about starting the medication, especially given the controversy surrounding GLP-1 treatments.

Williams said, "I did a lot of research on it. I was like, 'is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?' I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it."

Once she felt confident moving forward, Williams connected with a doctor through Ro and began weekly injections. She found the process straightforward and said the ongoing support made it easy to stay consistent.

Now serving as a celebrity ambassador for the company, she credits the treatment with helping her lose more than 31 pounds. "I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss," she said.

A New Chapter with Renewed Strength

Beyond the physical change, Williams said the treatment improved her mobility. "I just can do more. I'm more active. My joints don't hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster," she explained.

She also noted a positive shift in her overall well-being. "I feel great...I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally," she shared.

Body image is also something the former tennis pro takes seriously, especially as a mother to two daughters. She said she has open conversations at home about self-worth.

"With me going through what I've went [sic] through growing up in public and just having millions of people commenting on my body, it's really important to teach them to be confident at any size, just like I try to be," she said.

The former tennis sensation reflected on how looking back at old photos — whether she was thinner or curvier — reminded her of how confident she had felt at the time.

With her health improving, Williams intends to keep using the GLP-1 medication when necessary. She's currently preparing for a half-marathon and staying dedicated to her regular gym sessions, which she considers a key part of her wellness routine.

The moment captured in the family photo rippled outward, turning a quiet New Year’s post into a shared reflection on time, growth, and the enduring appeal of seeing Serena Williams and her family simply moving forward together.