Drake is drawing attention for what many fans are calling a low-key jab at Serena Williams, the tennis icon he dated on and off from 2011 to 2015.
The rapper liked a comment under his recent Instagram post comparing his new tennis-themed photoshoot with Sexyy Red to an “upgrade” from Williams.
Drake shared the photos on Nov. 17 and captioned them, “I said tennis lesson, she said where the bracelet or necklace is.”
Not long after, a user commented, “Serena Williams upgraded” with fire emojis, a comment that Drake seemed to co-sign by liking. Another follower was quick to point out that he was “messy because he liked the comment.”
The subtle online move comes months after Williams shut down speculation about whether her cameo in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance had anything to do with Drake.
The performance featured Lamar’s hit Not like usa much-discussed diss track aimed at Drake, but Williams told it Time in April that her dancing moment was “absolutely not” a shade on her ex.
She added: “I would never… I’ve never had any negative feelings towards him. We’ve known him for so many years.”
Her performance, she explained, was actually a nod to the celebration she celebrated after beating Maria Sharapova at the 2012 London Olympics.
When asked if she regretted participating, she told the outlet, “I don’t know if I regret it or not. I don’t know the answer to that.”
Drake and Williams publicly linked up again in 2015, even though the two had known each other for years.
He even mentioned her in his 2013 song Worst behaviorrapping, “I swear I could beat Serena if she plays with her left hand.”
Whether his latest Instagram like was playful or pointed, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans, especially those who remember the couple’s long, complicated history.
