Serena Williams and the Super Bowl Side-Eye: Was She Throwing Shade at Drake?

The Super Bowl is always a spectacle—celebrity sightings, halftime performances, and, of course, cryptic moments that set the internet ablaze. This year, while Taylor Swift was busy breaking the internet with her support for Travis Kelce, another storyline began simmering in the background. Enter Serena Williams, tennis legend, business mogul, and queen of unbothered elegance, who somehow became the star of an entirely different kind of game: the art of subtle shade.

The moment in question? A seemingly casual, fleeting reaction caught on camera, but one that fans believe was dripping with intent. Serena was seated comfortably in one of the Super Bowl’s star-studded VIP suites, living her best life. But then, Drake—yes, that Drake—popped up on the jumbotron. Cue the side-eye. Or was it a non-reaction? A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it microexpression? Whatever it was, it was enough for the internet to launch into full-on detective mode.

A History of Complicated Ties

To the uninitiated, this might seem like an overreaction. But to those well-versed in pop culture history, Serena and Drake’s dynamic is a saga.

Back in 2015, rumors swirled that the rapper and the tennis icon were an item. Paparazzi shots of the two looking cozy only fueled speculation. But whatever they had—if they had anything—didn’t last. Soon after, Drake was linked to various other celebrities, and Serena went on to marry tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, with whom she now shares a beautiful family.

That’s where things should have ended, right? Well, not exactly. Drake, ever the emotional lyricist, seemed to reference Serena in his music multiple times over the years. The most eyebrow-raising instance came in 2022 when he released Her Loss, featuring a track that included the line: “Serena, your husband a groupie.”

Excuse us, what?

Serena, for her part, brushed off the drama in classic Serena fashion, laughing it off and carrying on with her life. But fast forward to the Super Bowl, and the internet couldn’t help but wonder: was that subtle shade at Drake, or was she simply minding her own business?

Fans vs. Critics: The Verdict?

Fans were quick to side with Serena, taking to social media to celebrate the so-called moment of silent triumph. “That’s the face of a woman who won,” one user quipped. Others argued that the moment was being overanalyzed. After all, Serena is a legend in her own right—why would she waste energy on anything less than iconic?

Whether it was a calculated reaction or just the internet’s insatiable need to turn every glance into a Shakespearean drama, one thing is certain: Serena Williams stays winning. And as for Drake? Well, let’s just say he might want to rethink his next lyrics.