Here's Why Serena Williams' Dad Didn't Walk Her Down the Aisle

She understands, Meghan.

Serena Williams
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Serena Williams and Meghan Markle are rumored to be close friends, and it turns out they might have even more in common than they thought. Amid the drama with Meghan's family that has unfolded this week (note: her dad officially will not be at the wedding), Williams revealed that her father didn't walk her down the aisle, either.

Richard Williams—who was also Serena's tennis coach for years—had a suit ready for the big day, and decided one hour before that he couldn't do it. "He was in New Orleans, he had a suit, and I know he was really excited," the tennis champion says in a new documentary titled Being Serena via Vogue.

"But then he wrote me and said: 'Serena, I don't want you to be mad at me, but I just can't walk you down the aisle. I'm not myself anymore. I'm just too nervous.'"

And instead of being upset, she pulled the ultimate champion move, and told him it was okay.

"If he doesn't want to be up there in front of a lot of people, I completely understand. Look, when we first came on the scene, there were a lot of people who didn't get him. I don't think a lot of them wanted to get him," Williams says.

"I don't think a lot of him could have anyway. Our family knows what we have. We just want each other to be happy. That's what matters. I don't think anything could ever change that."

Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, were married in November. Just two months before their wedding day, they welcomed a baby girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, after enduring a dramatic delivery.

Though it seems Williams won't be Meghan's maid of honor, it's likely she received an invite to the wedding and (we're hoping!) will be there to support her friend on her special day.

RELATED STORY
RELATED STORY

Hair, Face, Eyebrow, Hairstyle, Lip, Facial expression, Smile, Beauty, Skin, Brown hair,

(Image credit: Getty Images)
Alex Warner
Editor

I’m currently working at Dotdash Meredith as the Celeb & Entertainment E-Commerce Lead contributing affiliate content for People.com and InStyle.com. I’m basically like your personal shopper, from writing about that cozy loungewear set you didn’t know you needed to keeping tabs on the best sales and deals on the internet. I’m also a pro at finding affordable dupes for celebrity looks and I love to dig into the data to strategize content opportunities.

Latest in Celebrity
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Benny Blanco in a purple shirt with a white tank top underneath and Selena Gomez in a black dress backstage at The Tonight Show in March 2025
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Latest in News
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
Bella Hadid walks into a studio wearing an oversize leather jacket with a pair of capri leggings and ballet sneakers
The Ballet Sneaker Trend Is Bella Hadid's Undisputed It-Shoe of 2025
Keke Palmer in a brown cutout dress and long copper hair
Keke Palmer Returns to the Dark Side With Deep Espresso Hair
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Jennifer Lawrence
The Jennifer Lawrence-Approved Adidas Sneakers Everyone's Talking About Are Secretly On Sale at Nordstrom