Serena Williams Claps Back at Super Bowl Critics Over “Petty” Halftime Cameo

Tennis legend Serena Williams is setting the record straight after her surprise Super Bowl LVIII halftime show appearance sparked speculation about being a subtle dig at her ex, Drake.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who joined Kendrick Lamar and SZA during the high-energy performance, faced criticism from some fans who believed her cameo was meant to fuel Kendrick and Drake’s ongoing feud.

Now, Serena is shutting down the rumors—firmly and with class.

Serena Williams Responds to Super Bowl Backlash: “I Don’t Have Time for Petty”

Following her halftime show appearance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 9, Serena took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the critics questioning her motives.

“Gosh I’m so late to the game (I’ve been sick) & busy investing in billion-dollar companies and running @WYNbeauty,” she wrote on Feb. 17. “Definitely not dancing to be petty lol.”

Serena made it clear that her presence at Super Bowl LVIII had nothing to do with her past relationship with Drake, whom she briefly dated in the early 2010s.

“I think I proved 23 times over (not counting 4 gold medals) that I simply don’t have time for petty,” she continued. “All love and respect always—nothing negative here.”

Her response quickly gained traction, with fans applauding her classy comeback and shutting down the unnecessary drama.

The Real Meaning Behind Serena’s Super Bowl Cameo

While many speculated that Serena’s appearance was a direct jab at Drake, there was actually a much deeper significance behind her moment on stage.

Serena and Kendrick: A Shared Connection to Compton

Serena’s connection to Kendrick Lamar goes beyond the Super Bowl stage—both stars hail from Compton, California, a city that played a significant role in shaping their careers.

• Kendrick, known for his West Coast roots, has often paid tribute to Compton in his music, including his hit song “Not Like Us,” which he performed during the halftime show.
• Serena, who grew up in the same neighborhood, has spoken about the challenges and triumphs of rising from Compton to become a global sports icon.

Their halftime collaboration wasn’t about celebrity drama—it was a celebration of their shared journey and a powerful cultural moment.

Serena’s Iconic Dance and the Wimbledon Controversy

Another layer to Serena’s Super Bowl performance was her signature dance move, which some longtime fans recognized from Wimbledon 2012.

Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, took to social media to defend her, shedding light on the history behind the dance.

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago, and it shows,” he tweeted on Feb. 10, alongside an old news clip where a journalist criticized Serena’s dance celebration after her Wimbledon victory.

His point? Serena’s Super Bowl moment wasn’t about shading Drake—it was about reclaiming a dance move that once drew unfair criticism and celebrating Black excellence on one of the world’s biggest stages.

Serena Williams and Drake: A Look Back at Their History

For those unfamiliar, Serena and Drake’s relationship dates back to the early 2010s, when the rapper was spotted courtside at several of her matches.

A Brief Romance and Public Breakup

• The two were rumored to be dating in 2011, but neither confirmed the relationship publicly.
• In 2015, Drake was seen cheering Serena on at the U.S. Open, fueling speculation of a rekindled romance.
• However, their relationship fizzled out after a few months, and Serena moved on with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, whom she married in 2017.

Since then, Drake has referenced Serena multiple times in his music, most notably in his song “Middle of the Ocean” (2022), where he name-dropped Alexis, calling him a “groupie”—a diss that Serena and her husband hilariously brushed off.

With this history, some fans couldn’t help but speculate that Serena’s Super Bowl cameo was a strategic move—but her response makes it clear: she’s way past all that drama.

Stephen A. Smith’s Controversial Take: “If I Were Her Husband, I’d Divorce Her”

While most of Serena’s fans defended her halftime appearance, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith took a very different stance.

On the Feb. 10 episode of his First Take podcast, Smith claimed that if he were in Ohanian’s shoes, he would have left Serena over the performance.

“If I’m married, and my wife is going to troll her ex—go back to his ass,” Smith said.

“Because clearly, you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for—and you with me?”

His comments sparked immediate backlash, with many calling his reaction outdated and disrespectful.

Meanwhile, Serena showed nothing but gratitude for her husband, completely ignoring Smith’s remarks.

“That there my baby daddy and husband,” she wrote on X, sharing a sweet message for Ohanian.

“Always got my back. I love you.”

Her response made it crystal clear—there’s no love lost between her and Drake, and she’s focused on her marriage, her career, and her family.

Serena Williams: More Than a Tennis Legend

Serena’s Super Bowl moment proves once again that she’s more than just one of the greatest athletes of all time—she’s a cultural icon with a lasting impact beyond sports.

Serena’s Business Empire

Even while responding to critics, Serena made sure to remind everyone that she’s busy dominating the business world.

• She’s an investor in billion-dollar companies, including fintech startups and women-led businesses.
• Her beauty brand, WYN Beauty, is gaining traction, proving her influence goes beyond athletics.
• She has an estimated net worth of over $250 million, making her one of the wealthiest female athletes in history.

A Devoted Wife and Mother

Serena and Alexis share two children:

• Olympia Ohanian (born 2017)—already a budding entrepreneur like her parents.
• Adira Ohanian (born 2023)—the couple’s newest addition, whom they introduced to the world in August 2023.

Their strong relationship and family-first mentality make it clear that Serena isn’t looking backward—only forward.

Serena Williams Shuts Down the Drama, Moves Forward Like a Champion

Serena Williams has spoken—and her message is clear.

• Her Super Bowl halftime cameo wasn’t about Drake—it was about celebrating her roots, culture, and triumphs.
• She has no time for petty drama, and she’s focused on her billion-dollar businesses, marriage, and family.
• Critics like Stephen A. Smith may try to stir controversy, but Serena knows where she stands.

At the end of the day, Serena Williams is an icon, an entrepreneur, and a history-maker—and no halftime show controversy can change that.