We all suspected Serena Williams would be mopping the floor of the U.S. Open with Maria Sharapova. Now, what we didn’t see coming was the tennis superstar's husband Alexis Ohanian’s potential for pettiness.
As Williams defeated Sharapova on the court on Monday night, Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit, proudly sported a shirt bearing the popular D.A.R.E. logo, which advocates against drug abuse, in the stands.
The long-standing feud between the tennis stars has often been dubbed a rivalry, insinuating that the two are on equal playing fields. However, this U.S. Open win for Williams marks the 15th consecutive victory against the Russian athlete.
Ohanian’s t-shirt choice was inspired by Sharapova’s failing a drug test in 2016, which caused her to be banned from playing for two years. According to Sporting News, the tennis star said she unknowingly took the drug meldonium before the Australian Open.
Twitter got a kick out of the Reddit co-founder’s petty move, which added insult to Sharapova injury amid her defeat.
Alexis Ohanian showing up to the match between Serena & Maria Sharapova in a D.A.R.E t shirt is the type of solidarity in pettiness I need from my partner. pic.twitter.com/iH1oBW8djO
— farxiyo (@hausofriya) August 27, 2019
You know what? I actually hope for another Serena vs Maria match-up soon. The dragging started with Alexis stepping out in that anti-drug t-shirt then Serena slammed it with a 6-1 6-1 drubbing, & y'all have spent the day finishing Little Miss Meldonium off.
It's been fun. pic.twitter.com/hnacZbbZDl
— Masiye es'hogweni bbz (@MvelaseP) August 27, 2019
Alexis Ohanian's level of petty is just… *chef kiss* pic.twitter.com/l8aVtYjGG0
— M'Baku's Baby Mama (@JamelleMyBelle) August 27, 2019
the second drag of the serena-sharapova match happened off the court, with @alexisohanian in a d.a.r.e shirt. ???? if you know, you know. #USOpen
pic.twitter.com/CbnVXUtdeF— get on the drums, ro (@oscar_pope) August 27, 2019
@alexisohanian is a damn fool and a GOAT for wearing a D.A.R.E. shirt to the match tonight ???? pic.twitter.com/Hib85MoVfa
— WTA Tea (@WTATea) August 27, 2019
I’d like to report a murder ???? @alexisohanian
#renasarmy
#usopen
pic.twitter.com/RLtUNxZZVu— Auto Tinsley (@AgentTinsley) August 27, 2019
Sharapova’s saltiness toward Williams stretches back for the past 14 years. Aside from her disregard for Williams’ impeccable skill, in her autobiography, Sharapova wrote: “I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all odds, at Wimbledon.”
With this win, Williams advances to compete against American tennis player Catherine McNally in the second round on Wednesday.
