Serena Williams has always believed in the power of presence. “It’s really important to show up and to be there for young girls. Our athletes shouldn’t have to feel like they aren’t being supported,” she shared in a 2021 Vogue interview. True to her words, Serena stands as a beacon of strength and support for aspiring athletes and equality in sport. Her legacy extends far beyond the court, championing gender and racial justice. Just yesterday, in a powerful display of grace and empathy, Serena backed a rival team’s player after their heartbroken keeper left the field in tears. In doing so, she didn’t just reveal her favorite team, she reminded the world what true sportsmanship looks like!
The Chelsea Blues achieved a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final, thanks to a brace from Sandy Baltimore and a goal from Catarina Macario. With this win, they took home the domestic treble, having already secured the Women’s Super League (WSL) title and the Women’s League Cup. What made this feat even more special was that it came in the debut season of manager Sonia Bompastor, who had huge shoes to fill, having taken over the reins of the team from the legendary Emma Hayes. But there’s another story that has stood out this past season—one that did not end in victory, but was inspiring nonetheless.
It’s the story of Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Having taken over from the virtually irreplaceable Mary Earps as the 1st-choice goalkeeper, the American impressed throughout the season with 13 clean sheets in 22 games, conceding only 16 goals. Her efforts earned her a share of the Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton and a spot in the WSL Team of the Season. And emotional after the final loss, Tullis-Joyce received heartfelt support from Serena Williams, who, while reaffirming her loyalty to Chelsea, showed grace and empathy toward the devastated keeper.
Just a couple of hours ago, the popular X page “The Women’s Game” shared a heartwarming moment from Manchester United’s dressing room at Wembley. The video captured goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce being embraced and comforted by the tennis legend Serena Williams. The 28-year-old was visibly emotional, shedding tears as teammates recorded the touching exchange. The clip was captioned, “The sweetest thing you’ll see today 🥹 Man United and USWNT keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce shared a special moment with tennis GOAT Serena Williams after the FA Cup Final 😭.”
Serena didn’t just let the moment pass, she re-shared the video on X, adding her message of solidarity and love: “I wear Chelsea blue but pro woman on my heart. Any color goes. #womensport.” The statement underscored her loyalty to the Chelsea women’s team while emphasizing her broader, unwavering support for women in sports.
But why is Serena such a devoted fan of Chelsea, though? The answer lies close to home. Just days ago, her husband, Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, made headlines by investing approximately $26.5 million for an 8% to 10% stake in Chelsea Women. A prominent figure in women’s sports, the 42-year-old’s portfolio includes a substantial stake in the USA’s Angel City FC as well.
And while Alexis announced the investment, both he and Serena were present at Wembley to witness Chelsea’s dominant 3–0 FA Cup triumph. The scene was symbolic, Serena beaming with pride not just for her team’s success, but also for her husband’s commitment to uplifting women’s sports, a cause she has long championed!
Serena Williams Praises Husband Alexis Ohanian Following Chelsea Investment
In 2020, Alexis Ohanian made a bold move by becoming the largest shareholder of Angel City FC. That investment proved to be a major success, with the club later selling for a remarkable $250 million in 2024. Now, the co-founder of Reddit has expanded his passion for women’s sports by purchasing a stake in Chelsea’s women’s soccer team in the UK. Adding the news through an Instagram post, Ohanian added, “I’ve bet big on women’s sports before—as the founding control owner of @weareangelcity—and I’m doing it again. I’m proud to announce that I’m joining @chelseafcw as a minority owner and board member. I’m honored for the chance to help this iconic club become America’s favorite @barclayswsl team and much, much more.”
Serena Williams quickly re-shared the post on her IG stories, captioning it, “ANOTHER ONE FOR @776FUND AND @ALEXISOHANIAN 🥰🥰.” The power couple’s shared vision for elevating women’s sports continues to gain momentum, now with Chelsea, one of the most decorated teams in the Women’s Super League, at the center of their focus.
In the same Instagram post, Alexis added, “These players are rewriting the game. Undefeated season. Eyes on the treble. But this isn’t just about winning titles. It’s about finally matching their talent with the resources, visibility, and respect they deserve. I’ve been right about this before and I couldn’t be more excited. And you know we got the entire family READY. Thank you to Aki Mandhar, our club President, and her team for this care package for the girls — her integrity and focus on a standard of excellence were a huge factor in why this was such a ‘Hell Yes’-type investment. Bio officially updated. See you all SUNDAY! Up the Chels!”
With both Serena and Alexis present at the club’s title celebrations yesterday, their visible enthusiasm only further underscores their deep commitment to championing women’s sports on every stage. However, how do you think the Blue side will shape for next season after this massive investment?
