A Vintage DARE T-shirt Was the Talk of Serena Williams’ U.S. Open Match

By Joseph Myers

Calling the matchup between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova a “rivalry” really tests the limits of the word, as though they have met 22 times and on many big occasions, the former leads their head-to-head 20-2. The latest drubbing came Monday night during their first-round U.S. Open tilt, and while the 6-1, 6-1 victory for the 37-year-old Williams drew plaudits, a DARE T-shirt that her husband Alexis Ohanian donned was the real star.

Alexis Ohanian trolled his wife's opponent, Maria Sharapova, with a D.A.R.E. tee. https://t.co/iHDKI8uGeJ

— Esquire (@esquire) August 28, 2019

Williams, who is looking to claim her 24th major championship in New York, has made Sharapova look like an absolute novice on numerous occasions, dropping only seven sets in their contests. While that likely was on the Russian’s mind when under the lights two days ago, her foe’s partner seemed to want to offer a reminder of another possible source of embarrassment: Sharapova’s 2016 ban over a failed drug test. Enter the DARE garment.

We all need a husband like @alexisohanian! https://t.co/2mDs99Yght

— Bitch on Wheels (@norwickdrive) August 28, 2019

Money does not buy class......

— googoo (@laudergrl) August 28, 2019

Originating in 1983, the Drug Abuse Resistance Program has gained backers and detractors over the last 36 years, and while one can debate the merits of the organization, it appears that Ohanian wanted only to have a laugh at Sharapova’s expense through his apparel selection. The result of the match was a customary, clinical beatdown for the eighth seed, but Ohanian's T-shirt choice, which he sported under a jacket, was perhaps the more brutal insult for Sharapova.

Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, reaches ultimate pettiness wearing D.A.R.E shirt to U.S. Open pic.twitter.com/b9Z0HJXY1f

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) August 27, 2019

Many people had anticipated a solid match, despite the head-to-head log between the two, but the only true takeaway is Ohanian’s intentional (we are going to call it like we see it) swipe at Sharapova. The 32-year-old former No. 1 player just cannot muster much against Williams anywhere in the world, so maybe it was a good thing for her that the match ended so quickly, as the massacre made sure that cameras would not need to keep panning over to see the DARE T-shirt on Ohanian, whose wife has her own history of newsmaking attire choices. One never knows where or when Williams and Sharapova might meet again, so that leaves the masses to wonder if Ohanian will mark the next occasion, should there be one, with another DARE shirt or something else that pokes fun at the woman who is looking to vanquish his companion.