2024 Paris Olympics

Serena Williams' hubby Alexis Ohanian aces umbrella holder role at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian spoke out after a TV commentator did not identify him by name but instead noted he was holding the tennis star's umbrella at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremony - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 0
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage

Originally appeared on E! Online

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian got served with a new title at the 2024 Paris Olympics — and his response to it is a grand slam.

During Eurosport's live TV coverage of the Opening Ceremony July 26, co-host Laura Woods commented that the tennis star arrived with an "umbrella holder," referring to her spouse, who held one up for his wife to shield her from the rain as they walked the red carpet with their daughter Olympia, 6.

"Olympia. Serena. Serena's Personal Umbrella Holder," the Reddit co-founder later captioned an Instagram pic of himself with his wife and daughter at the Opening Ceremony, adding a laughing face emoji. "Let the games begin!"

Woods had made her comment after complimenting William's style — a red, ruched midi bodycon dress paired with brown pointed pumps.

"She looks absolutely incredible," the TV presenter said. "She's got someone just behind us holding an umbrella. Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you."

Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Watch all the action from the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games live on Peacock

Olympic bronze medalist visits Trinity Valley School

How Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas surprised Caitlin Clark

On July 27, Ohanian, 41, shared a photo of himself holding the umbrella on the Opening Ceremony red carpet while walking beside his daughter, writing on X, "I'm also Olympia's personal umbrella holder."

And the jokes kept coming.

One user wrote, "You look like a secret service agent." Ohanian replied, "That is my mindset in public with these girls."

Another person joked to the businessman, who also shares with Williams daughter Adira, 11 months, "You do realise this is forever, right?" to which the tech entrepreneur responded, "Yes."

Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, played a special part in the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

She, fellow tennis star Rafael Nadal, American track and field icon Carl Lewis and legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, all rode a boat together on the River Seine to help bring the Olympic torch to its destination — a cauldron by the Louvre. The container was later lit and suspected on a hot-air balloon.

While no one was spotted on umbrella duty at that time, although Williams appeared unbothered by the rain.

"We're completely soaked," the 42-year-old said in a selfie video recorded on the boat and shared on Instagram. "Super excited I decided not to wear the white dress. But it's fun! I'll never forget this!"

Copyright E! Online
Contact Us