Serena Williams
(April 24, 2017) Serena Williams has responded to comments from Tennis Hall of Famer and Romanian Fed Cup Captain Ilie Nastase who made disparaging comments about the skin color of Williams’ baby that she’s expecting in the Fall. Williams is black and her fiance, co-founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian is white.
“It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and (my) unborn child,” she wrote on her Instagram.
“I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support,” the 35-year-old 23-time major champion wrote.
“I have said it once and I’ll say it again, this world has come so far but yet we have so much further to go. Yes, we have broken down so many barriers- however there are a plethora more to go. This or anything else will not stop me from pouring love, light and positivity into everything that I do. I will continue to take a lead and stand up for what’s right.”
Nastase was ejected from the Romania- Great Britain Fed cup tie over the weekend for verbal abuse directed at British player Johanna Konta, British captain Anne Keothavong and the chair umpire. He has also been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation.
This is the full post from her Instagram account:
