Williams then went on to comment on the fact that, growing up, she has been subjected to intense media scrutiny – over her career choices, her personal life, and her physical appearance. How, she wondered, did her mother has managed to remain resilient throughout all of that?

“I don't know how I would react if [my baby] has to go through what I've gone through since I was a 15-year-old and even to this day,” revealed the tennis star.

“I've been called a man because I appeared outwardly strong.”

The Olympian then approached the subject of drugs, something which Williams has been accused of taking due to her athletic frame.

Serena Williams writes an emotional open letter to her mother