In a heartfelt message, Alexis Ohanian, the husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, is speaking up about the importance of paternity leave. He’s not just talking about it—he’s living it. Alexis wants to ensure that every father has the opportunity to bond with their child in those crucial early days, just like he did with his daughter, Olympia.
Alexis Shares His Story
“There’s nothing in the world that could have pulled me away from my wife and daughter in those first fragile moments,” Alexis wrote in a personal essay for The New York Times. At 36 years old, Alexis is no stranger to the challenges of balancing family life with professional responsibilities. But he’s clear: “I was never forced to choose between my family and my job, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”
Alexis went on to reveal the harrowing experience of Serena’s near-fatal complications after childbirth. This experience only reinforced the importance of his presence at home. “Serena spent days in recovery fighting for her life against pulmonary embolisms,” Alexis recalled. “When we brought Olympia home, Serena had a hole in her abdomen that needed daily bandage changes. She was on medication and couldn’t walk. It was a tough time, but it brought us closer together as a family.”
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View this post on InstagramWeekend "brunch" plans now start at 8am and it turns out there's no wait at that hour and lots of crayons…
Paternity Leave: A Game-Changer for Fathers
Alexis believes that paternity leave is more than just a break from work—it’s a chance to establish a strong foundation for family life. “Taking leave set me on the right path for sharing parental responsibilities,” he explained. “Two years later, there’s no stigma in our house about me changing diapers, feeding Olympia, doing her hair, or anything else I might need to do in a pinch. It’s all part of being a dad.”
He also had some advice for new fathers who might feel hesitant about taking time off. “I understand that not every father has the flexibility to take leave without worrying about how it might affect their career,” Alexis acknowledged. “But here’s what I’d say: Taking leave pays off. It’s an investment in your family, and it’s one that continues to pay dividends two years later—and beyond.”
View this post on InstagramThey are always staring at me 😌
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Building Confidence as a Dad
For Alexis, the time spent at home wasn’t just about helping out—it was about growing as a father. “Being there for Olympia when she was a newborn gave me the confidence to figure out this whole parenting thing,” he said. “Growing up as an only child with no cousins, I didn’t have much experience around babies. In fact, I had never held one until Olympia was born. At first, holding her terrified me. I’m a giant and she’s so tiny…what if I break her? But I didn’t—and that was encouraging. I learned how to calm her crying, rock her to sleep, and handle her toddler years with grace.”
While there’s no word yet on whether Alexis and Serena will expand their family, one thing is certain: Alexis will be ready to take time off again if they do. It’s clear that paternity leave isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity for building strong, loving families.
