Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, has spoken out about the toxic fallout from sports betting after their 2017 marriage exposed him to a wave of online abuse.
The Reddit co-founder told a podcast how bettors’ rage turned personal once he became Serena Williams’ partner. His comments come as research shows angry gamblers now drive 40% of all detected abuse against WTA players.
What did Alexis Ohanian say?
Ohanian called the backlash “jarring” when he first started dating Williams. He described the worst toxicity he saw online as “psychopathic racists” tied directly to sports betting.
“Tennis has always had heavy betting energy,” he said on the TBPN show. “If a player loses, thousands can turn on them in minutes.”
Why does this matter for Serena Williams?
Williams, 44, returned to Wimbledon on 1 July 2025 but lost in the first round. An injury forced her to skip doubles with Venus Williams.
Research from the WTA Tour, published in 2025, found bettor-fueled abuse now accounts for 40% of all detected harassment over the past year.
What’s next for players and betting?
Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Jessica Pegula and Katie Boulter have all spoken out recently about betting-linked harassment. Ohanian has refused to invest in betting firms, citing the harm to athletes.
At Wimbledon, Ohanian was courtside to support Williams despite her early exit. He argued the sport’s growth must not come at the cost of players’ safety.