Serena’s heartfelt ‘Letter to my mom’

Serena Williams has penned a heartfelt letter to her mother, in which she describes some of the abuse and accusations that she has had to deal with throughout her professional career.

In a post entitled Letter to my mom on Reddit, Williams reflects on the birth of her daughter, and what her mother Oracene must have gone through.

“I don’t know how I would react if she has to go through what I’ve gone through since I was a 15 year old and even to this day,” Williams wrote.

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“I’ve been called man because I appeared outwardly strong. It has been said that that I use drugs (No, I have always had far too much integrity to behave dishonestly in order to gain an advantage). It has been said I don’t belong in Women’s sports — that I belong in Men’s — because I look stronger than many other women do. (No, I just work hard and I was born with this badass body and proud of it).

“But mom, I’m not sure how you did not go off on every single reporter, person, announcer and quite frankly, hater, who was too ignorant to understand the power of a black woman.”

Serena gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia during the US Open. Last week she posted a video on social media documenting her experiences during pregnancy.

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According to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena is preparing to make a comeback early in 2018 – potentially in time to defend her Australian Open title.

If she does, according to the letter she hopes that Oracene will be by her side: “Promise me, Mom, that you will continue to help. I’m not sure if I am as meek and strong as you are yet. I hope to get there one day.”