Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s love story is a modern-day fairy tale. Despite their busy careers as superstars in their respective fields, they always make time for each other and their loved ones. In the ESPN+ docuseries “In the Arena: Serena Williams,” episode 7 reveals a heartwarming moment when Williams felt like a real-life Cinderella.

Both Williams and Ohanian had first met each other in 2015 while having breakfast at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome. The tennis star had then made the first move, asking the internet entrepreneur to sit with her and her friends during breakfast. Then later on, Williams invited Ohanian to attend a match at the 2015 French Open. Accepting her invitation, Alexis traveled all the way to Paris. Both of them went out on a date and visited the Eiffel Tower, La Menagerie in the Jardin des Plantes (zoo), and many other places.

In a flashback to their early days together, Serena Williams described her excitement at discovering a zoo. She spontaneously asked the Uber driver to stop so they could visit. Ohanian shared a funny story about Serena’s reaction to seeing a “beautiful” snow leopard hunt a rabbit. While everyone, including Serena, gasped at the scene, Ohanian, trying to comfort her, said “It’s alright, baby, don’t worry…it’s fine”

Ohanian described the moment as a beautiful, romantic experience and expressed gratitude to the snow leopard for making it possible. After hearing this story, Williams laughed and added, “It was honestly a really awesome, fun day and it was like Cinderella at one point. I was like ‘Oh my God! It’s six, 7:00, I got to go because I have to train in the morning. And I for the first time understood how Cinderella felt when she was at the ball.”

Apart from the zoo, there is a restaurant in Paris itself where Serena thinks Cinderella and Belle must hang out. While speaking about one of her favorite restaurants during an interview, Williams revealed it’s the APICIUS, collection of Roman cookery recipes, that she mostly craves. “It’s gorgeous. From the moment you approach the building, the elegance is obvious. It’s glamorous, the food is delicious, and you feel like you’ve been teleported into a fairy tale whenever you’re there. Cinderella and Belle would definitely hang out there.”

Circling back to the couple’s love story, the two got engaged in 2016 and their first child, Olympia was born a year later. Two months after welcoming their baby girl, the pair tied the knot in New Orleans in front of family and famous friends, including Beyoncé and Jay Z. Since then, Ohanian has been the biggest supporter of Serena Williams.

During the 2018 US Open, he once shared a post dedicating Williams, writing, “She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women’s rights. She never gives up. She’s passionate and unrelenting and the most inspiring person I know.” In fact, Alexis Ohanian shows how people should support strong female figures in their lives.

Serena Williams’ husband’s message on how to build a successful relationship 

In 2018, during an interview with Good Morning America, Alexis Ohanian spoke about on what it’s like to marry one of the greatest athletes of all time. He spoke about the basic rules to make these relationships a super hit! Ohanian revealed, “Regardless of who you’re in a relationship with, I think it’s important to make sure your partner feels supported.”

He advised them not to feel “threatened” in a situation with a partner who is extremely talented and successful. Instead, he advised them to be more proud and supportive of their woman. What is the most romantic thing that he has done, though?

In reply to this question, Ohanian gave a pretty simple answer: “I think the most romantic thing I’ve ever done was just showing up and doing my job as a husband and a father.” Well, from their first date and zoo visit to them being a family of four now, the couple has come a long way.