Serena Williams and Taylor Swift have long shared mutual admiration, making it all the more surprising when fans noticed the tennis icon didn’t approach the pop superstar at the 2025 Super Bowl. With Swift in the spotlight, cheering for her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs, many expected a celebrity encounter between the two. But as it turns out, Williams had a deeply thoughtful reason for keeping her distance.
Serena Williams' decision to stay away was out of respect, not distance
In a recent Time Magazine interview, Serena Williams opened up about her surprising choice to avoid Swift during the big game. Despite attending the Super Bowl with her family and performing in Kendrick Lamar’s viral halftime show, Williams was laser-focused on a very mom-like mission: getting an autograph from Swift for her 7-year-old daughter, Olympia.
“I’m such a mom,” Williams said with a laugh. “I was ready to go in here myself and be like, ‘Taylor, come get this girl.’”
However, when she saw the Chiefs struggling on the field, she decided it wasn’t the right time to approach. “It’s hard when your team is losing,” Williams explained. “I totally get it.” Her choice to give Swift space came not from disinterest, but from empathy. As a fierce competitor herself, Williams knew the emotional weight Swift might have been carrying in that moment.
In addition to revealing her behind-the-scenes Super Bowl story, Williams also stood up for Swift after the singer received boos from parts of the crowd. The backlash toward Swift, who has been under intense media scrutiny during her relationship with Kelce, didn't sit right with the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “Why would you boo her?” Williams said. “That’s so mean. That’s just awful.”
Also Read: “Tay’s servant”: Travis Kelce left speechless by Taylor Swift-inspired fan name on podcast — has Swift mania gone too far?
While some might view Serena’s decision to avoid Swift as distant, it was in fact a gesture of kindness and understanding—one rooted in shared experience and respect. “We’re so connected, we’re so in love, we’re just, like, trying to get our daughter Taylor Swift autographs. And nothing else,” Williams shared, summing up her family's priorities.
Sometimes, even between A-list friends, a little space is the greatest show of support.
Serena Williams' decision to stay away was out of respect, not distance
In a recent Time Magazine interview, Serena Williams opened up about her surprising choice to avoid Swift during the big game. Despite attending the Super Bowl with her family and performing in Kendrick Lamar’s viral halftime show, Williams was laser-focused on a very mom-like mission: getting an autograph from Swift for her 7-year-old daughter, Olympia.
Serena Williams tells TIME she was determined to get Taylor Swift’s autograph for her daughter at the Super Bowl but was held off by the Chiefs’ loss:
— Taylor Swift Charts+ (@chartstswift) April 16, 2025
“I'm such a mom. I was ready to go in here myself and be like, 'Taylor, come get this girl.' However, It's hard when your team… pic.twitter.com/tmuEyfeHCU
“I’m such a mom,” Williams said with a laugh. “I was ready to go in here myself and be like, ‘Taylor, come get this girl.’”
However, when she saw the Chiefs struggling on the field, she decided it wasn’t the right time to approach. “It’s hard when your team is losing,” Williams explained. “I totally get it.” Her choice to give Swift space came not from disinterest, but from empathy. As a fierce competitor herself, Williams knew the emotional weight Swift might have been carrying in that moment.
In addition to revealing her behind-the-scenes Super Bowl story, Williams also stood up for Swift after the singer received boos from parts of the crowd. The backlash toward Swift, who has been under intense media scrutiny during her relationship with Kelce, didn't sit right with the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “Why would you boo her?” Williams said. “That’s so mean. That’s just awful.”
Also Read: “Tay’s servant”: Travis Kelce left speechless by Taylor Swift-inspired fan name on podcast — has Swift mania gone too far?
While some might view Serena’s decision to avoid Swift as distant, it was in fact a gesture of kindness and understanding—one rooted in shared experience and respect. “We’re so connected, we’re so in love, we’re just, like, trying to get our daughter Taylor Swift autographs. And nothing else,” Williams shared, summing up her family's priorities.
Sometimes, even between A-list friends, a little space is the greatest show of support.
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