Fans have renewed interest in Serena Williams’ love life after she made a cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, showing off her dance moves while the rapper did a live rendition of his famous Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” After watching the performance, many viewers are wondering if Serena ever dated Drake.

In Touch explores their past history and what they have said about each other years after they reportedly dated.

Did Serena Williams and Drake Date?

The 23-time Grand Slam winner was first rumored to be dating the “One Dance” rapper after being spotted getting cozy while out to dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio, in August 2015. Drake has been public about his affinity for the sports legend as he had been seen sitting courtside at her tennis matches since 2011.

“I cannot wait to put it on you and make you sweat … during our match this weekend,” the Toronto native flirtatiously tweeted in August 2011.

Though neither of the two have never confirmed they were romantically involved, Drake alluded to their connection in his 2013 song “Worst Behavior.”

“I’m with my whole set, tennis matches at the crib / I swear I could beat Serena when she playin’ with her left,” the Degrassi The Next Generation alum sang.

He also later confirmed his 2016 collab with Rihanna “Too Good” was inspired by the tennis star while talking to his mother, Sandi Graham.

While the California native moved on with Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, Drake continued to support her career and even attended her Wimbledon match in 2018.

Serena and Alexis got engaged in 2016 and tied the knot in November 2017, just two months after welcoming daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Their second child, Adira River Ohanian, was born in August 2023.

Drake Dissed Serena’s Husband in ‘Middle of the Ocean’

In November 2022, Drake released his album Her Loss with fellow rapper 21 Savage. On the album’s track “Middle of the Ocean,” the “God’s Plan” rapper threw some not-so-subtle shade at the internet entrepreneur who won Serena’s heart.

“Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie / He claim we don’t got a problem but / No, boo, it is like you comin’ for sushi,” Drake rapped in the track.

Did Alexis Ohanian Respond to Drake’s Diss?

Hours after Drake dropped his album, Alexis took to Twitter to seemingly respond to the rapper’s remarks.

“The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter,” the tech mogul shared. “It’s cliche, but life changed when I became a husband + papa. It’s made me 100x better as a man and a businessman. In [Serena Williams] I found a partner I knew I would never outgrow, who would always motivate me to be Greater.”

Serena Coyly Shaded Drake Before Her Appearance in the Halftime Show

“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” she said while making an appearance at the 2024 ESPY Awards last July. “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re going to Forrest Gump him. Seats taken.”

Serena Williams Showed Her Support for Kendrick Lamar During Super Bowl LIX

Serena became a trending topic after making an appearance in the halftime show on February 9, 2025, rocking a navy-blue skirt, white top and matching jacket. Like Kendrick, the tennis sensation also hails from Compton, California.

“Let’s go Super Bowl halftime,” Serena wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while showcasing her outfit for the event. “I died a little!”

In another video, she quipped, “Man, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon. I would be fined!”

Serena’s husband, Alexis, later sang her praises and posted that it was a “pretty fantastic halftime show.”