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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 12: Serena Williams of the USA celebrates with daughter Alexis Olympia after winning the final match against Jessica Pegula of USA at ASB Tennis Centre on January 12, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 12: Serena Williams of the USA celebrates with daughter Alexis Olympia after winning the final match against Jessica Pegula of USA at ASB Tennis Centre on January 12, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Serena Williams is an all-rounder in the truest sense. Her expertise on the court is synonymous with the success she continues to etch with her business ventures. Last year, she retired after more than 25 years of service to the sport. However, while Williams has attained all the glory that comes with tennis, she aspires to derive more meaning from her life. She took time out for introspection to discover the things that would help her attain fulfillment.
Williams delved into her faith to completely understand the intricacies behind it and got baptized to extend her belief. For those unversed, Jehovah’s Witnesses are required to abstain from ostentatious activities. The former World Number 1 has maintained that her family doesn’t celebrate special events like birthdays. She even revealed the reasoning behind this stance.
Why does Serena Williams not celebrate occasions like birthdays?
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During an interview with The New York Times in 2007, the American tennis legend opened up about her religious beliefs and connection with a higher power. As her career progressed, Serena renewed her commitment to her religion and started attending Jehovah’s Witness meetings three times a week.
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Serena Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian are seen as Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF plays during his first game in a League s Cup match against against Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY MIA20230721583 LARRYxMARANO
Further, she went on to explain, “I tried to develop a better relationship with God. You have a strong solid foundation, the Bible says, you won’t crack, but the man who built his house in the sand, his house went down spiritually. I have a really strong foundation. That’s how I was raised.”
Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian don’t celebrate special occasions. However, they have crafted a unique way of making their 6-year-old daughter, Olympia, feel special. How did they ever pull such a thing off?
Serena and Alexis strive to find small moments of joy
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The former World Number 1 once revealed that they throw random parties for their daughter, Olympia. Finding an alternative way to celebrate special milestones emerged as the need for the hour due to their religious beliefs. And the power couple did just that. When Olympia completed 17 months, the dotting parents dressed their little one in a red and white outfit and introduced her to farm animals.
Revealing the idea behind it, Serena mentioned, “I wanted to just do something fun because we don’t do birthdays.” Additionally, she had once stated, “Olympia doesn’t celebrate birthdays. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don’t do that.”
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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ella Ling/Shutterstock 13331084fb Serena Williams celebrates victory in her first round match with Alexis Ohanian and Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. US Open Championships 2022, Day One, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA – 29 Aug 2022 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. US Open Championships 2022, Day One, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA – 29 Aug 2022 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xEllaxLing/Shutterstockx 13331084fb
Earlier this month, Serena’s daughter turned six and, like always, they didn’t celebrate her birthday because they believe that such celebrations displease God. Nonetheless, Serena and her family continue to find joy in small moments and celebrate those instead, often sharing adorable glimpses of the same on social media.
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