Serena Williams says she admires how 'confident' and 'selfless' her friend the Duchess of Sussex is.
Following Meghan’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which she detailed her experiences with the royal family, Williams praised her bravery for being so open.
'Meghan is a great person and I think the epitome of strength, the epitome of confidence, the epitome of just selflessness, and the epitome of everything is just her and everything that she’s gone through,' she explained on The Shine Series.
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'And I know it’s not easy, and you can see from the interview that it wasn’t easy. But she had so much poise and she still had so much class.
'I just think that she is the strongest person I know. I don't know anyone else that could handle anything on such a global scale the way that she's had to handle things that are just untrue - minute after minute. Not even day after day. Just minute after minute, another untrue allegation being thrown at her.'
The tennis star posted a powerful statement following Meghan's interview with Winfrey, which detailed the 'sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour'.
'Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced,' she said. 'I know firsthand the sexism and racism institutions the media use to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us, to break us down and demonise us.'
She 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.
'I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect. Keep in your memory the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law.'
The pair have been friends for years; Williams was a guest at Meghan and Harry's royal wedding in 2018, and Meghan is regularly seen supporting the tennis champion at matches.
Jessica Davis is Harper's Bazaar UK's digital writer. She helps the team across all sections of the brand, from writing news stories, to designer and celebrity interviews, as well as longer features. Specialising in fashion and sustainability, Jessica heads up our sustainability content, from championing brands to keeping our readers in the know about how to help our planet. She’s loved fashion ever since she can remember and enjoys wearing clothing that sparks joy.
