Tennis icon Serena Williams found herself at the center of controversy after sports analyst Stephen A. Smith took aim at her brief appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show. Smith’s sharp criticism has ignited a heated media debate, with some fans now questioning their support for the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

During an episode of First Take, Smith expressed his disapproval of Williams joining Kendrick Lamar on stage during his performance of Not Like Us, a song widely seen as a diss toward rapper Drake—who has a history with Williams. Smith suggested that her presence at the show was unnecessary and even inappropriate, particularly given her marriage to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

“If my wife got on stage trolling her ex, go back to him. Clearly, you don’t belong with me,” Smith declared, suggesting that Williams’ cameo sent the wrong message. His comments quickly sparked intense reactions across social media and sports forums.

Williams’ Super Bowl appearance was intended to be a simple entertainment moment, yet Smith’s words have seemingly amplified scrutiny toward her. Some fans voiced their frustration, arguing that she should not be involved in controversies tied to her past relationships. Social media users flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with comments ranging from support to disappointment.

“I’ve been a Serena fan for years, but this was unnecessary. Why put yourself in that situation?” one user posted. Others defended the tennis legend, calling out Smith for overreacting and unfairly judging a moment of entertainment.

Neither Serena Williams nor her husband, Alexis Ohanian, have publicly responded to the backlash. However, Ohanian has been known to be supportive of his wife’s choices and has previously clapped back at critics questioning her decisions.

Smith’s remarks have only added fuel to the fire, intensifying debates on celebrity appearances, personal relationships, and how female athletes are judged in the public eye. Whether this controversy will impact Williams’ reputation long-term remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—her Super Bowl cameo is now one of the most talked-about moments of the event.