Serena Williams on Ilie Nastase's Alleged Comments About Her Baby's Skin Color: 'I Am Not Afraid, Unlike You'

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Serena Williams has responded to alleged comments from fellow tennis star Ilie Nastase about what color skin her baby will have.

Williams confirmed her pregnancy last week, and on Saturday, ESPN reported that former world champ Nastase was overheard telling a journalist in Romanian, “Let’s see what color it has. Chocolate with milk?”


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In a photo posted on Instagram, Williams, 35, called out her peer’s reported comments as “racist.”

“It disappoints me to know we live in a society where people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers,” Williams wrote.

“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,” she continued. “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.”

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Williams went on to voice her support of the International Tennis Federation’s investigation into the incident and declared that she would rise above such comments.

“I am not afraid, unlike you,” wrote the mom-to-be, who is engaged to the baby’s father, Alexis Ohanian. “You see, I am no coward. ‘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.”

See the sweet message that Williams penned for her unborn child below.

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