Serena Williams sat down with husband Alexis Ohanian for an interview session on Instagram Live where they discussed the current climate surrounding race relations in the United States.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion decided to speak out following the death of African American George Floyd, who died on May 25 after former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
His death has inspired international protests and drawn new attention to the treatment of African Americans by police and the criminal justice system.
Meeting Mandela Was One Of My Best Moments – Serena Williams
Williams highlighted the importance of using their platform to elevate the issues of the current climate and using their voices to bring about change.
She said: “At no point in my career, did I feel like I was ever in the wrong room, or that I was ever being judged.
“I’m always letting you know what I see. I see things differently. My whole life, I’ve been taught to see things differently because of who I am and because of the colour of my skin.”
George Floyd: See How Much Raised By His Family Through GoFundMe(Opens in a new browser tab)
Throughout her extraordinary career, Serena Williams has been influenced by numerous personalities. One of these was certainly Nelson Mandela, whom the American has often mentioned during her speeches.
In 2013, Mandela was fighting for life and Serena was upset to learn about his deteriorating condition.
“I feel like Nelson Mandela, first of all, he’s lived a really amazing life. He’s just been so pivotal I think for so many people. It’s really emotional to talk about,” the former World number 1 said.
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