S Poddar
Serena Williams surprised everybody by making an appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show, an event that was more significant than many initially perceived. As Kendrick Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, Williams danced in the background, adding a twist to the night.
The tennis great, who retired after a storied career, made headlines once again—not for her on-court performance, but for showing up at one of the world’s largest sporting events. Fans were quick to make the connection, recalling Williams’ past relationship with Drake, which lasted from 2011 through 2015. The Canadian rapper has name-dropped their past in a series of songs, most prominently in “Middle of the Ocean,” where he rapped: “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie.”
Drake’s track record of name-dropping Williams in his music made her showing up during Lamar’s performance all the more intriguing. The diss track itself was part of a long-standing feud between Lamar and Drake, one that escalated dramatically last year. The song’s lyrics include a stern warning: “Better not speak on Serena.” Though Williams has never publicly responded to Drake’s lyrical jabs, her Super Bowl appearance felt like a low-key but powerful response.
Adding to the irony, Williams wasn’t the only person in the audience with a past with Drake. SZA, another of the rapper’s former romantic interests, also took the stage with Lamar. The coincidence didn’t go unnoticed by fans, who took to social media to speculate if the whole moment was manufactured.
Williams’ halftime performance was a tribute to her Wimbledon victory celebration in 2012 when she crip walked after winning Olympic gold. The moment was panned then, but it has since become a permanent part of her image. Seeing her dance again—this time at the Super Bowl—was a full-circle moment, as if she was reclaiming the narrative on her own terms.
Aside from the drama of her personal life, Williams’ appearance showcased her transition from a sports icon to a broader cultural icon. Having spent years rewriting the books on tennis, she has seamlessly transitioned into a new period of life—one where her influence stretches way beyond the court. The Super Bowl, watched by millions on the planet, became yet another platform where she made her presence felt.
Drake, meanwhile, seemed to take swipes at his former loves just hours before the Super Bowl. In a social media post, he shared cryptic messages about his exes, prompting speculation about whether he was indirectly taking shots at Williams and others. With the timing, fans were quick to make connections between his words and the halftime show.
While Williams has remained tight-lipped about her history with Drake, her actions during the Super Bowl said it all. She has long moved on from that period of her life, finding joy with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their two kids. Ohanian himself has been effusive with his love and admiration for Williams, even taking light-hearted jabs at Drake in the past.
The Williams-Drake-Lamar drama was the most talked-about aspect of the Super Bowl halftime show. Social media was filled with reactions, memes, and theories about what the underlying message behind her performance was. Some saw it as poetic justice—Williams, whose life had been the subject of rhymes by Drake for so long, was now on stage during a performance that name-dropped him.
The moment meant more than the personal dynamic between the individuals involved. It was evidence of Williams’ enduring place in popular culture. Even retired, she remains the center of attention at major events, drawing the public’s eye with ease.
As the world remains in conversation about the Super Bowl halftime show, there is one thing that is certain: Williams stole the show in a way that only she can. Whether or not it was intentional, her appearance during Lamar’s performance will be the night’s most memorable moment. She may have retired her racket, but she is still winning—this time, on an even larger stage.
