Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian believes he was destined to be a girl dad—and he wears that badge with pride. The Reddit co-founder is the self-declared “papa pancakes,” flipping breakfast treats every Sunday. He’s the “caddy daddy” on the golf course, helping his daughter Olympia explore her swing. At night, he becomes the storyteller for baby Adira. He’s always getting his kids to try something new and doesn’t even let Olympia say “can’t.” Now, he’s bringing the Easter spirit to life as Olympia unlocks a brand new feat.
The Sunday morning pancake ritual actually began with his own childhood. Ohanian’s dad made pancakes every Sunday, and now he’s passing that tradition on to Olympia. But this isn’t just regular flapjack flipping. It’s colorful, creative, and fun. Ohanian has taught Olympia how to turn breakfast into a canvas. She’s gone from sous-chef to “head pancake chef,” especially after her little sister Adira came along. The kitchen baton has officially been passed.
And now, she’s branching out. This Easter, Olympia tried something new—roasting marshmallows over a bonfire. Ohanian shared the sweet moment online with a simple caption: “Ready ready with that marshmallow.” The family seems to be soaking in the Easter vibes with full energy. But there’s more to this story than holiday fun.
Ready ready with that marshmallow pic.twitter.com/xUqs8lJhyj
— Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian) April 20, 2025
Because Serena Williams, Olympia’s mom, is a Jehovah’s Witness. Williams and her side of the family follow the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witness faith. That means no birthday parties or traditional holiday celebrations. Back in 2018, Williams told People, “Olympia doesn’t celebrate birthdays. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don’t do that.” That statement surprised a lot of fans at the time. But for Williams, faith comes first.
In an interview with Glamour, Williams opened up about what she hopes for her daughters: “I pray every night that the girls stay close and have a true relationship with God on their own and get to know him. It’s the most important thing that I personally think you can do.” Her spirituality isn’t just personal—it’s woven into how she parents.
The American tennis icon comes from a household with different beliefs. Her mother, Oracene, and sister, Venus, are also Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her father, Richard, is not. And neither is her husband. Ohanian doesn’t follow the same faith, but he fully supports Serena’s religious path. Their family shows that it’s possible to respect and support each other even with different views. In fact, Serena wasn’t officially baptized until 2023, even though she was raised in the faith.
This journey of faith has been her anchor.
Serena Williams opens up on her faith
Serena Williams has spoken often about how much strength her beliefs give her. One of the most painful chapters in her life was the loss of her sister, Yetunde Price, in a tragic shooting back in 2003. In a 2007 New York Times interview, she said, “I tried to develop a better relationship with God. You have a strong solid foundation, the Bible says, you won’t crack, but the man who built his house in the sand, his house went down spiritually. I have a really strong foundation. That’s how I was raised.”
And it wasn’t just off the court. Even during her tennis career, Williams stayed connected to her faith. After matches, she often thanked God in her post-win celebrations. And when things went wrong—like her infamous foot fault meltdown at the 2009 US Open against Kim Clijsters—she took it to heart. The Jehovah’s Witness elders stepped in with a spiritual check-in. “They just talk to you. They show you Scriptures. Not ministers; they call them elders. It’s almost like a reprimand, but it’s not bad because in the Bible it says God loves you, and if someone reprimands you, they love you,” she told People.
Now in retirement, Williams is focused on building a different kind of legacy. She’s making sure her kids grow up with the same spiritual compass that helped guide her through wins, losses, and life beyond the court. Whether it’s bedtime prayers or setting an example of spiritual discipline, she’s passing on values that matter just as much as medals.
And with Alexis Ohanian on team “girl dad,” there’s a perfect mix of pancakes and prayers at home. How do you balance tradition, fun, and faith in your own family?
The post Easter Spirit Rubs Off on Serena Williams’ Family as Little Olympia Unlocks Newest Feat with Papa Alexis Ohanian appeared first on EssentiallySports.