Serena Williams Supports Meghan Markle After Oprah Winfrey Interview

Serena Williams is sending support to her friend Meghan Markle in the wake of her and Prince Harry’s prime-time interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS.

The tennis superstar took to social media with a message about her friendship with Meghan Markle. Williams called Markle “selfless” and said, “lives her life and leads by example with empathy and compassion”. Williams said Meghan “teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble”; adding that, “her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she has experienced.”

One topic that the couple discussed during the two-hour interview was how a member of the royal family raised concern over “how dark” Meghan and Harry’s son Archie would be. Meghan also shared how she reached out for help regarding her mental health after a breaking point.

Williams wrote that she understands firsthand “the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us.”

“We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimization are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal,” she continued. “I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect.”