Alexis Ohanian, known for his passionate support of women’s sports and, of course, his wife Serena Williams, has made headlines once again.
This time, the tech entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder extended a special invitation to tennis star Coco Gauff, offering her a prime spot at his next Athlos NYC event, a groundbreaking track and field competition exclusively for female athletes.
While Ohanian’s gesture was meant to celebrate Gauff‘s incredible athletic ability, it didn’t take long for fans to jokingly speculate whether Serena might have something to say about it.
Some lightheartedly teased that he was “betraying” his wife by showing so much enthusiasm for another athlete.
Gauff‘s exceptional speed on the tennis court has long been one of her defining attributes, with many wondering how she might have fared as a track star.
The 20-year-old has often spoken about her love for running, even revealing that if she had pursued track and field, she strongly believes she could have been an Olympian.
“I don’t know if I would have been as good as I was in tennis in track, but I strongly feel like if I would have trained I could have been an Olympian,” Gauff said after a match in Toronto last year.
“Track is the only sport I would say that in, just because I did do well in middle school, never training. I didn’t go to one track practice, and I won all my races except two.”
Her natural speed is no surprise given her athletic background. Her mother, Candi Gauff, was a collegiate track and field athlete at Florida State University, while her father, Corey Gauff, played basketball at Georgia State.
Recently, track star Zoe Hobbs praised Gauff’s athleticism, saying, “Someone who would startle me if I came across them would be Coco Gauff… I was just so impressed with the power that they have.”
This admiration led Ohanian to respond: “I got a spot waiting for you in a trackside suite @CocoGauff ATHLOS 25.”
Ohanian’s History of Supporting Gauff
This isn’t the first time Ohanian has shown his support for Gauff. Earlier this year, American hurdler Alaysha Johnson recounted how Gauff recognized her at the Olympics.
Johnson was left stunned when Gauff acknowledged her signature self-designed outfits, an interaction that quickly gained traction online. Ohanian added his own response to the viral moment, saying, “Here for Coco Gauff and Alaysha Johnson.”
Ohanian has played a key role in elevating women’s sports, particularly through Athlos NYC-a premier track and field event that he funds.
The event debuted in 2024, bringing together top female athletes, including Olympic gold medalists Gabby Thomas, Faith Kipyegon, and Alexis Holmes.
Athlos NYC was widely praised for its record-breaking prize pool, which surpassed many traditional track meets, helping increase the visibility of women’s athletics.
What does Serena Williams think?
While some fans have joked about Ohanian‘s enthusiasm for Gauff, Serena Williams has always been a strong supporter of rising talent in tennis.
Given her own role in shaping the next generation of athletes, it’s likely she appreciates her husband’s efforts to promote female sports stars.
As for Gauff, her influence continues to expand beyond tennis, gaining recognition across the sporting world.
Whether she accepts Ohanian‘s invitation to Athlos remains to be seen, but one thing is certain-her talent is drawing admiration from athletes in every arena.
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