Drake and Serena Williams
Serena Williams has insisted she and Drake are just friends, despite kissing photos Getty

Rumoured couple Drake and Serena Williams appear to have celebrated the tennis champion's win at the Western and Southern Open with a private party. Pictures have emerged of the pair kissing during an intimate dinner date in Cincinnati, fuelling dating rumours once again.

In the low-resolution photos, which were taken at Italian restaurant Sotto and published by TMZ, Drake, 28, and Williams, 33, can be seen close to each other while cradling each other's faces. At one point, the Know Yourself rapper appears to be kissing the sport star's neck before they pull away and engage in conversation.

According to the website, the pair hired a private room at the back of the restaurant but the curtain was pulled back, giving other diners a full view of their PDA. The date night took place just a few hours after Williams beat Simona Halep to win the Cincinnati Masters, earning the tennis star her 69th singles title of her career.

It is not the first time Williams has been linked to the Young Money star, as they were said to have also shared a kiss after her win at Wimbledon in July. A source told The Sun newspaper at the time: "Publicly she says they're just friends but Drake has been by Serena's side throughout the tournament and when they've been away from the public and relaxed, it's been pretty obvious that they are together.

"Even Serena's team have been talking about it in the clubhouse to a few people they trust. She has been incredibly focused on her title bid. But if she's had a quiet moment she's spent it with Drake, even going to watch his Wireless set and having dinners in London."

The Grammy-winning hip hop star fuelled the dating rumours when he was seen in the audience of a press conference held by Williams, but when asked about a possible romance, she told reporters: "It's all about luck. You got to keep your luck around. We've been friends for like so many years, just like family."