Serena 'Attacked' by Former Romania's Fed Cup Captain
Serena 'Attacked' by Former Romania's Fed Cup Captain
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NEW YORK - Ilie Nastase, former world number one tennis champion made headlines for responded to Serena Williams pregnancy. He announcement by saying: "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?"
Respond that statement, Serena says if Nastase "racist" and has given her backing to a full investigation.
"It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments," Williams said in a statement.
Williams (35) is due to give birth to her first child in the autumn.
"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," Williams added.
"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," she said.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has launched an investigation into the comments made by 70 year old Romania's Fed Cup captain, at a news conference before their tie with Great Britain in Constanta last week.
"I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support," added Williams, who announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also included passages from the poem Still I Rise by American civil rights activist Maya Angelou in her statement.
"I am not afraid like you. You see, I am no coward. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? You may shoot me with your word, you may try to kill me with your hatefulness, but still like the air, I rise," Williams said.
Williams, who won her record-breaking Grand Slam at the Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant, thanked her unborn child as she regained the world number one ranking on Monday.
"You gave me the strength I didn't know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can't wait to meet you," Williams said in a separate statement.
"I can't wait for you to join the players box next year. But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you."
Williams captioned the statement on Instagram "from the world's oldest number one to the world's youngest number one."
Respond that statement, Serena says if Nastase "racist" and has given her backing to a full investigation.
"It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments," Williams said in a statement.
Williams (35) is due to give birth to her first child in the autumn.
"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," Williams added.
"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," she said.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has launched an investigation into the comments made by 70 year old Romania's Fed Cup captain, at a news conference before their tie with Great Britain in Constanta last week.
"I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in this case. They will have my full support," added Williams, who announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also included passages from the poem Still I Rise by American civil rights activist Maya Angelou in her statement.
"I am not afraid like you. You see, I am no coward. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? You may shoot me with your word, you may try to kill me with your hatefulness, but still like the air, I rise," Williams said.
Williams, who won her record-breaking Grand Slam at the Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant, thanked her unborn child as she regained the world number one ranking on Monday.
"You gave me the strength I didn't know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can't wait to meet you," Williams said in a separate statement.
"I can't wait for you to join the players box next year. But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you."
Williams captioned the statement on Instagram "from the world's oldest number one to the world's youngest number one."
(rnz)
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