Olympia Ohanian helpedSerena Williams train ahead of the 2021 Australian Open.- The 3-year-old played
tennis alongside her 23-time Grand Slam champion mom before they departed for Down Under. - Williams posted the adorable clip to her TikTok.
Serena Williams is still in hot pursuit of her 24th Grand Slam championship, and she'll have yet another chance to tie Margaret Court's elusive record at the Australian Open in a few short weeks.
But before she departed for Down Under, Williams fit in one last training session with her No. 1 training partner: her 3-year-old
Williams and Ohanian took the court one final time stateside in an adorable scene posted to Williams' Instagram on Tuesday. The tennis legend and her little tyke stood side-by-side just outside the service box as someone out of frame lobbed shots for each of them to return.
"It's my turn!" Ohanian could be heard yelling in the clip.
Ohanian recently began taking tennis lessons, but her new instructor has no clue that they are coaching the heir to tennis' greatest mantle. It appears to be paying off, at least somewhat, as Ohanian was shown connecting racquet to ball at least one time in Williams' clip. But more often, the toddler spun in a full circle as she tried and failed to return the shot.
Later in the video, Ohanian dodged one of her mom's famously powerful serves on the other side of the net. She also spent some time throwing tennis balls to Williams from just outside the baseline.
"One more?" Ohanian asked before tripping over a ball. "I'm okay! Here!"
Check out the full clip from Williams' TikTok below:
@serena Footage from my practice before leaving with my training partner @OlympiaOhanian.
♬ original sound - Serenawilliams
The Williams-Ohanian family has since departed the United States for tennis' first Grand Slam event of the year in Melbourne. Photos from January 14 show Williams, Ohanian, and her father, Alexis Ohanian, navigating Adelaide Airport with plenty of luggage and masks on their faces. Meanwhile, the younger Ohanian appears to be enjoying herself as her mom tows her through the terminal while the toddler is seated atop a suitcase.
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Williams has yet to win a Grand Slam in her daughter's lifetime, but she's reached four major finals in that span. But perhaps with Ohanian's help with training, this year's tournament - beginning February 8 - will be the one that serves as Williams' highly-anticipated breakthrough.