Serena Williams is setting the record straight after the innanet started speculating that her surprise Super Bowl cameo was low-key shade for her ex-boo, Drake. In case you missed it, the tennis legend popped out during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance of ‘Not Like Us,’ and the streets immediately started talking—especially after she hit a lil’ crip walk on stage. Some folks saw it as her co-signing the ultimate K.Dot diss… but sis is now saying that’s absolutely NOT the case.
RELATED: Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Reacts To Drake Seemingly Calling Him A “Groupie”
Serena Says The Only Thing She’s Throwing Is Support!
As mentioned, in a new interview with Time, Serena made it clear there was zero shade being thrown.
“Absolutely not,” she said when asked if she was trolling the rapper. “I would never do that. And that was sad, that anyone would ever think that. I respect how they could. Obviously, I can see how someone would think that. But absolutely not. I have never had negative feelings towards him. We’ve known him for so many years.”
For context, Serena’s Super Bowl moment lasted only a few seconds. But that was all it took to have folks clutching their pearls. Over 100 complaints reportedly flooded the FCC, with at least one person accusing her of gang affiliations. Yes, you read that right.
“I don’t know if I regret it or not,” Serena says now of her decision to dance. “I don’t know the answer to that.”
Additionally, Williams emphasizes that she strategized with her team and deeply considered her appearance. “Who would have thought that a tennis player from Compton would be regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time?” she told TIME.
The opportunity to amplify her hometown on the Super Bowl stage was too good to pass up, adding, “It was just putting an exclamation on it.”
Williams & Champagne Papi DO Have History
Now let’s not forget—Drake and Serena were romantically linked way back in 2011 and even caught by TMZ looking real cozy a few years later. He even pulled up courtside to one of her U.S. Open matches that same year, which some fans blamed him for jinxing.
Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the Super Bowl moment via First Take, saying: “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his a*s. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye-bye.” Meanwhile, Serena wasn’t fazed at all by Stephen’s comment.
She told TIME, “I thought it was hilarious…He’s allowed to have his personal opinion. But did you see my husband’s remark? It was so eloquent.”
Serena made it clear that she and her hubby, Alexis Ohanian, stay booked, blessed, and building generational wealth together.
“We literally are investing in the world, both of us,” she said to TIME. “We’re investing in women and in sports. This is literally the last thing on our minds. Come on.”
Whew! Message received, Queen. 👑 No shade, just moves.
