Serena Williams Accuses Ilie Nastase Of Racially Abusing Her And Her Unborn Baby
US tennis player Serena Williams has accused Ilie Nastase of racially abusing her and her unborn child, and making sexist comments about her peers in a statement on Instagram.
Nastase - a former world No.1 tennis star from Romania - was attending a press conference for the Fed Cup tie when he was overheard saying about the current No.1's pregnancy news (via BBC): "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?"
He was also heard calling his British counterpart Anne Keothavong and British No.1 Johanna Konta "f***ing bitches".
Williams confirmed that she and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian were expecting their first child together last week after posting a picture of her baby bump on Snapchat which she captioned: "20 weeks".
Her spokesperson then added (via The Guardian): "I'm happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this fall."
In regards to Nastase's comments, Williams released the following statement on Instagram: "It disappoints me to know we live in a society in which people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers.
"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."
The 35-year-old sports star then quoted poet and activist Maya Angelou as she continued: "Does my sassiness upset you. Why are you beset with gloom?
"You may shoot me with your words... you may try to kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I rise."
She added that the International Tennis Federation have her "full support": "I humbly thank the ITF for any consideration given to all the facts in the case. They will have my full support."
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