TEARS ahead. Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’ husband and Reddit co-founder, posted the sweetest tribute to his wife ahead of her ninth US Open Final.
[jwplayer uhR6V6TN]
Williams will verse rising Japanese star Naomi Osaka on Saturday (6:00am Sunday AEST for us) at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, in her second consecutive grand slam final following Wimbledon.
The GOAT cruised through her semi-final match against Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0 in 66 minutes. Osaka, who’s only 20-years-old also defeated her opponent Madison Keys in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 making her the first-ever Japanese women to achieve a grand slam final.
Osaka saved an insane 13 break points and in her post-match interview said the reason why she fought so hard was because “I just really want to play Serena.” Her idol, Osaka had only one message to give to Williams before their final: “I love you.”
Naomi Osaka’s message to Serena before they face each other in the US Open final?
“I love you.” 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/B7m8FzJWjm
— espnW (@espnW) September 7, 2018
Same.
Appearing to surprise Williams with the video on social media, Ohanian captioned the emotional post: “She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women’s rights. She never gives up. I had this made for @serenawilliams last night after her match with some home videos from 1 year ago this week. Help me make sure she sees it! #iloveyouserena”
In the post-match interview from her semi-final win, Serena can be heard saying: “A year ago I was fighting for literally my life at the hospital after I had my baby so every day I step out on this court I am so grateful that I have an opportunity to play this sport. No matter what happens in any match – semis, finals – I’ve already won.”
She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women’s rights. She never gives up.
I had this made for @serenawilliams last night after her match with some home videos from 1 year ago this week. Help me make sure she sees it!#iloveyouserena pic.twitter.com/OV6Zo1DBxZ
— Alexis Ohanian 🧠 (@alexisohanian) September 7, 2018
This is Williams’ first US Open in two years. She had previously withdrawn from the event for a knee injury and then her pregnancy.
24 hours after giving birth to beautiful Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., Williams developed a pulmonary embolism – a condition where the arteries become blocked by blood clots – which caused a number of other complications. In a moving essay for CNN, the 36-year-old shared how she “almost died” during the ordeal.
“I am lucky to have survived. First my C-section wound popped open due to the intense coughing I endured as a result of the embolism. I returned to surgery, where the doctors found a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood, in my abdomen. And then I returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from travelling to my lungs.”
Williams used her essay to raise awareness for women in developing countries who do not have access to such amazing medical teams and health facilities.
If the GOAT pulls off another win, this will be her seventh US Open title and overall 24th grand slam title, equally Margaret Court‘s record.
Score the latest Australian sports news in AFL, NRL, tennis, NBA, soccer and more with Pedestrian.
