Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Modern Twinsets
    • October Books
    • 2026 Beauty Awards
    • 'Carrie'
    • Aritzia New Arrivals
    • Top-Handle Bags
    1. Culture
    2. Sports

    Serena Williams Said She Might Miss the Tokyo Olympics If She Can't Bring Daughter Olympia

    Serena Williams said she's unsure whether she'll compete in the Tokyo Olympics if she's unable to bring her daughter, 3-year-old Olympia.

    Emily Dixon's avatar
    By Emily Dixon
    Published 11 May 2021 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    • Serena Williams said she might not compete in the Tokyo Olympics if she's unable to bring her daughter, 3-year-old Olympia.
    • The Tokyo organizing committee announced in March that overseas spectators would not be allowed to attend the Games.
    • "I haven’t spent 24 hours without [Olympia], so that kind of answers the question itself. We’re best friends," Williams said.

    Serena Williams is facing a difficult decision ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, after the announcement that overseas spectators would not be able to attend. Speaking to reporters in Rome, where she's currently preparing for the Italian Open, Williams said she might not compete in Tokyo if she's unable to bring her daughter, 3-year-old Olympia. And while Williams stans would love to see the GOAT add another gold to her tally, that's a very understandable reason not to take part!

    As the Washington Post reports, the Tokyo organizing committee announced in March that fans from overseas would not be permitted to attend this year's Games, in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. What's more, Japan's borders are currently closed to people from the U.S., alongside 151 other nations, unless "special exceptional circumstances are found."

    Asked if she'd head to Tokyo if Olympia couldn't accompany her, Williams responded, "I haven’t really thought much about that. That’s a really good question." She continued, "I haven’t spent 24 hours without her, so that kind of answers the question itself. We’re best friends."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    serena williams of the us with her daughter alexis olympia after her win against jessica pegula of the us during their womens singles final match during the auckland classic tennis tournament in auckland on january 12, 2020 photo by michael bradley afp photo by michael bradleyafp via getty images

    (Image credit: MICHAEL BRADLEY)

    Williams also said other factors, including the pandemic and the Grand Slam schedule, might prevent her from attending—though she's yet to make a final decision. "I haven’t really thought much about Tokyo, because it was supposed to be last year and now it’s this year, and then there is this pandemic and there is so much to think about," she said.

    "Then there is the Grand Slams. It’s just a lot," she added. "So I really have been taking it one day at a time to a fault, and I definitely need to figure out my next moves."

    You may like
    • Serena Williams wears a custom Nike jacket to play doubles with sister Venus Williams Serena Williams's Custom Nike Jacket Pays Tribute to Her Incredible Career
    • collage of the best tennis player outfits at the 2026 US Open The On-Court Outfits Are the Real Winners at the 2026 US Open
    • Naomi Osaka wore a hoodie with a train and a tulle skirt from Who Decides War at the 2026 US Open, styled by Law Roach Naomi Osaka's First 2026 US Open Outfit Proves She's the Zendaya of Tennis
    RELATED STORIES

    Marie Claire logo

    (Image credit: Marie Claire)

    Serena and Olympia Twinned in Swimsuits Again

    new york, new york may 06 serena williams and alexis ohanian attend the 2019 met gala celebrating camp notes on fashion at metropolitan museum of art on may 06, 2019 in new york city photo by jamie mccarthygetty images

    (Image credit: Jamie McCarthy)

    Serena Williams Shared the Cutest Date Night Pic

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Serena Williams
    CATEGORIES
    Celebrity
    Emily Dixon
    Emily Dixon
    Social Links Navigation
    Morning Editor

    Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.

    Read more
    A photo of Nikki Ogunnaike with an inset photo of Rennae Stubbs and text reading Money. Power. Style. Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike
    Culture Rennae Stubbs Has Thoughts About the U.S. Open's Influencer Controversy The former tennis player and coach sees the benefits of influencers, but has a simple reminder.
    By Lia Beck
    Zara and Mia Tindall walking next to each other in trouser suits
    Royals Zara Tindall Reveals Daughter Mia's "Eye-Rolling" Pre-Teen Behavior
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Princess Kate gasping with a shinty player standing behind her
    Royals Princess Kate Thought She Might "Take Someone's Teeth Out" During New Challenge
    By Kristin Contino
    marie claire us open event
    Sports A Night at the U.S. Open: Tennis, Female Empowerment, and Style Inspo A look inside the tournament.
    By Michaela Bushkin
     
     
    Latest in Sports
    'Physical 100: Mexico' star Mariana Khalil poses while flexing a bicep.
    TV shows Meet Mariana Khalil, the First Woman to Make It to the Final Four in 'Physical 100' History
    marie claire us open event
    Sports A Night at the U.S. Open: Tennis, Female Empowerment, and Style Inspo
     
     
    A group of athletes pose for the promotional image for Netflix's 'Physical 100: Mexico.'
    TV shows Meet the Stars of 'Physical 100: Mexico,' From Famed Luchadores to Former Olympians
    Taylor Townsend's best outfits at the 2026 US Open
    Celebrity Style Taylor Townsend on the "Message" Behind Her On-Court Outfits at the 2026 US Open
     
     
    Latest in News
    Prince William and Carole Middleton attend Royal Ascot 2024 on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England.
    Royals Princess Kate's Mother Was Prince William's 'Rock' When "Everything Was Falling Apart"
    Gigi Hadid walks the runway for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 on October 15, 2025 in New York City.
    Culture The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Is Days Away—Here's How to Watch for Free
     
     
    Prince William and Princess Charlotte attend the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on August 1, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
    Royals Prince William Was Asked to Help a Little Girl Become Princess Charlotte’s New Pen Pal
    Zoë Kravitz styled Ugg slippers with her signature purple scarf in NYC with Riley Keough
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz Gives Her Beloved Ballet Flats an Overdue Day Off in Favor of $130 Ugg Slippers
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.