You couldn’t look away from Serena Williams during her quarter-final win over Simona Halep — unless it was to get a glimpse of her husband.
Williams was crushing winners from everywhere as she sought revenge against Halep, who thumped the American in straight sets the last time they met to win the 2019 Wimbledon final.
The 39-year-old was locked in to start proceedings on Rod Laver Arena, and didn’t her husband know it.
Rocking a T-shirt that said “Greatest Female Athlete”, with “Female” crossed out, Alexis Ohanian — the co-founder of online forum Reddit — made it abundantly clear he was willing to take on the role of No. 1 supporter at a match with empty stands.
Before the contest even started he was giddy, gesturing excitedly as he looked more pumped up than any of the players we’ve seen at Melbourne Park over the past week-and-a-half.
That was only the beginning.
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As his wife charged towards her 40th grand slam semi-final, Ohanian pumped his fists, cheered, provided encouragement, waved his hands wildly and stood up out of his seat regularly to applaud and show Williams some love.
Plenty on social media noticed Ohanian’s enthusiastic antics. “Alexis way hyped out of the blocks,” New York Times tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg tweeted.
Bridget Otoo added “Look at Serena’s husband” with a handful of emoji faces with love hearts for eyes.
“Serena’s husband is the best! He always brings something to the court!”
Author Benjamin Dean wrote: “Serena’s husband being the biggest Serena fan is just absolutely what she deserves.”
Ohanian also posted a blunt message on Twitter after the match. Referencing comments by former Romanian Olympic tennis star turned billionaire businessman Ion Tiriac, who said Williams should quit because of her age and weight, her better half wrote: “Good thing no one listens to that racist sexist (clown emoji) Ion Tiriac.”
Ohanian had every reason to cheer as Williams kept her dream of a history-making 24th grand slam singles title alive by blitzing Halep 6-3 6-3.
The Romanian humiliated Williams at the All England Club two years ago but the American got her revenge. She was all over the world No. 2 in her best performance of the tournament, overcoming a topsy turvy start to the second set to put her on a crash course with Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals.
“I’ve been watching her (Osaka) and I’m sure she’s been watching me,” Williams said afterwards.
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