The Australian Open may have only just begun but it seems we already have a clear breakout star.
But it’s not Aussie tennis star Alex De Minaur and it’s not Serena Williams making waves either.
Nope, it’s Serena Williams’ “granddaughter” Qai Qai.
If you’re a bit confused, you must not be a big Williams fan.
Qai Qai, pronounced ‘kway kway’, is the “daughter and best friend” of Williams’ 16-month-old daughter Alexis Olympia.
The doll, which goes everywhere with the family, even has her own Instagram page showcasing her adventures.
Boasting over 89,000 followers and counting, the doll is often spotted wearing a tutu or even sporting a cast on one of her limbs.
Since arriving in Australia, the cherished doll has made waves at the Australian Open, lounging around on the court, sitting in the umpire’s chair and even taking over the the official Women’s Tennis Association Instagram account.
The doll is so popular, Williams was even questioned about Qai Qai in her post-match interview on Tuesday after beating Germany’s Tatjana Maria.
“Qai Qai is a doll I got her,” Williams said.
“I wanted her to have a black doll. Growing up, I didn’t have that many opportunities to have black dolls. And I was just thinking, like, I want her first doll to be black. And her [Olympia’s] heritage, obviously she’s mixed, she’s Caucasian and black, but I feel like that was her first doll and I said her second doll would be Caucasian,” she continued.
“I definitely want to always teach her love and teach her just basic human – humans should always have love for each other, no matter what colour they are.”
Williams has been joined in Australia by her daughter Olympia, Qai Qai and her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
The last time Williams was on Australian soil for the tournament in 2017, she was pregnant with Olympia.
“It’s kind of weird walking on, by myself this time, but it feels good,” Williams told reporters.
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Top Comments
89,000 people are following a doll on Instagram. Well, I suppose it could be worse. At least the doll won’t be posting a million photos of its bum in a bikini or trying to flog you dodgy weight-loss teas.
Crazy, right? Though I think the recent egg vs kylie jenner 'campaign' tells us all we need to know about instagram and instagram popularity lol.
Look, I'm too busy upvoting an egg to even bother with a doll - why can't people get their priorities right?