Serena Williams says she never leaves her daughter Olympia for more than 24 hours, tying her parenting presence to her career and lessons she wants to pass on.
Serena Williams is known for her drive on court, but off it, her approach to parenting is even more consistent: she says she makes a point of staying close enough that she never goes more than 24 hours without her eldest daughter, Olympia.
Speaking on the Wednesday. May 13 episode of the “IMO” podcast with former First Lady Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Williams described how she tries to be “a present parent. ” even though she admits that can be difficult amid the fast-moving lives of elite athletes.. Still. she emphasized her personal rule: she’s “never gone more than 24 hours. ever. ” adding that she “didn’t leave Olympia until she was 6 for 24 hours.”
Williams, 44, shares daughters Adira, 2, and Olympia, 8, with her husband, entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian.. Her comments frame a parenting philosophy built around physical closeness as well as emotional attention. with Williams portraying presence as a daily practice rather than a goal she reaches only occasionally.
In the same conversation. she connected her schedule to her priorities. saying that what she does is “around my kids.” Williams explained that she tries to show up as much as possible every day for her girls. describing how important she believes they are to her—and stressing that she wants to raise her children through guidance. teaching. and the example she sets in everyday life.
That commitment also shows up in how she talks about letting her children choose their own path.. Williams said she doesn’t want them to feel pressure to follow tennis. telling Vogue in 2018 that she would “hate” for Olympia to have to deal with comparisons or expectations.. She also pointed out how much she has given up. describing her choice to prioritize her own life differently as something that can’t be undone: “Sliding Doors” and the idea of going through another door into another future.
Her parenting perspective extends beyond athletics into how she wants her daughters to see themselves. In an Entertainment Tonight interview published Thursday, April 4, Williams—then described as 42—said it’s “super important” for her children to love who they are and whatever they look like.
Williams also linked self-belief to a wider imbalance she sees in how girls and boys are taught to dream.. She said women sometimes limit themselves. explaining that girls may be trained not to imagine big outcomes while boys in the same household are told they can become anything.. She added that she was “so glad” to have a daughter and wants to teach her that “there are no limits.”
Even with that emphasis on freedom, she hasn’t shied away from sharing tennis in an age-appropriate way.. She said there’s a difference between pressuring children to play and showing them the ropes. and she illustrated that by taking Adira to the court for what she called her first official lesson in November. sharing the moment via Instagram.
The broader story is that Williams is trying to balance two worlds without forcing her family into one mold: maintaining the closeness she values while also giving her kids room to grow into their own identities.. For fans who follow her both as an athlete and a public voice. the throughline is clear—her life choices. career demands. and family lessons all circle back to being there. staying intentional. and letting her children feel both supported and unboxed.
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