Serena Williams posted a lengthy statement on her Twitter page standing up for and supporting her good friend Meghan Markle in the wake of her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in America.
The two-hour special, set to air on ITV in the UK tonight, saw the Duchess of Sussex speak about everything from her experience of racism within the royal family and shocking conversations about the colour of her son Archie’s skin, to setting the record straight about that bridesmaid dress fitting with Princess Charlotte.
Serena was a guest at the royal couple’s fairytale wedding in 2018, and Meghan has also been seen cheering on the professional tennis champion with her sister-in-law Kate Middleton at Wimbledon.
Posting her sincere thoughts for the former actress, Serena wrote: "Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life – and leads by example – with empathy and compassion.
"She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.
"I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media us to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us, to break us down and demonise us," the athlete continued.
"We must recognise our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism.
"The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimisation are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal."
Serena went on to say she hoped that Meghan’s daughter as well as her own would one day be able to live in a society "driven by respect".
The star also added that her followers should try and keep in mind that "the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control".
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Comments were divided, as while many praised Serena for speaking up for her friend, others were left uneasy by Meghan’s decision to air her truth on a televised interview.
"This is damning for the Royal Family. #OprahMeghanHarry," one person wrote, as another shared: "Serena…. It gladdens my heart seeing the strength and love you are sending out to Meghan Red heart…. You've been through it all so you understand better than most of us who aren't in the limelight….. They can never break us because colour remains on."
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A third posted: "Courageous couple illustrated ..You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
While a fourth praised: "Powerful statement. We know you will have your friend's back, Serena!!! But if you need some backup, I'm ready to fight."
Meanwhile one fan asked: "Why is she still in the public eyes, when she's bitching about wanting nothing with the public life? You can't have both."
"She just threw her husband’s family and our constitutional monarchy under a bus, and was paid to do it. If she wants to make allegations of racism, she needs to name the individual and provide the context," another added.
It comes as Meghan’s former on-screen Suits husband Patrick J Adams wrote a scathing letter about the royal family and the British press as he rushed to the defence of his friend following the Buckingham Palace bullying claims.
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