Alexis Ohanian Confronts Stephen A. Smith Over Divorce Comment on Serena Williams After Super Bowl Performance

Former World No.1 Serena Williams reportedly dated Drake before marrying Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Alexis Ohanian Confronts Stephen A. Smith Over Divorce Comment on Serena Williams After Super Bowl Performance

Stephen A. Smith, Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams (Image via X/Complex, Symone B. Beez)

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Things would likely have escalated had both Alexis Ohanian and Stephen A. Smith continued to debate over a comment the latter made on Serena Williams back in February this year. Smith had criticized Williams’ performance during the Super Bowl.

Williams crip walked during Kendrick Lamar‘s Drake diss track ‘Not Like Us’, and it was perceived in a different manner, with some claiming the dance was a dig at the Canadian rapper, whom Williams reportedly dated. The 23-time singles Grand Slam champion eventually took to social media to reveal the reason behind her performance.

Smith, following Williams’ dance, thought the former tennis player did no good job, saying if he were her husband, he would have divorced her. Eight months have passed since Williams’ performance, but Smith’s comment was not forgotten by Ohanian.

During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take on October 9, Ohanian decided to confront Smith, who appeared remotely. Ohanian surprised Smith by reminding him of his remark on Williams’ dance.

Stephen A. Smith, I think you had some marriage advice for me?

Smith then tried to joke that he could not give married advice because he was not qualified. Ohanian asked him whether he was married before, to which the latter answered that he had never been married.

I give advice to plenty of founders who want to build billion-dollar companies. And the reason I do that is because I build billion-dollar companies. So, I generally try to stay in my lane.

Alexis Ohanian said

The Reddit co-founder tied the knot with the former World No.1 in 2017, and they have two daughters, Olympia Ohanian, eight, and Adira River Ohanian (two).

Stephen A. Smith responds to Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian

Back in February, when Stephen A. Smith faced intense criticism for his divorce comment, he took to X to defend himself, saying whatever he said was ‘from a man’s perspective’, that it was not at all a criticism of Serena Williams. Alexis Ohanian, at that time, slammed those who censured Williams’ dance.

Serena Williams
Serena Williams (Image via X/ESPN Tenis)

Following the confrontation with Ohanian on ESPN, Smith reiterated that whatever he said back in February was solely said from a man’s perspective, that he meant no disrespect toward the techie for wanting to address that situation with him on live television. He said during his SiriusXM show:

I wasn’t going to get into it on national television; I’m a professional. If it had escalated and he wanted to get into it more, we kept the cameras rolling, and I would’ve said, ‘Fine. ‘ But he was sitting there saying, ‘You wasn’t married, right? So, you know, you give him marital advice, that’s how he framed it. He says, ‘I give advice about building companies because what I do,’ essentially implying that I’m not married, so who am I to say something like that?

Williams called time on her illustrious career at the 2022 US Open after her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. She also played doubles with her sister, Venus Williams, but their run ended in the first round.

After retirement, the 44-year-old busies herself by running various businesses, including her beauty brand Wyn Beauty. Williams recently sparked controversy for admitting that she used GLP-1 medication for her weight loss. She also faced criticism for questioning the use of cotton for decor in a hotel in New York City.

The 2020 Auckland Open was the last title Williams lifted in her career by beating compatriot Jessica Pegula. The last Grand Slam final she played was the 2019 US Open, where Bianca Andreescu defeated her. Williams last lifted a Major at the 2017 Australian Open by beating Venus.

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