Why Serena Williams is urging Meghan Markle to stop “being so nice”
- Posted by
- Susan Devaney
- Published
It’s official: Serena Williams has got Meghan Markle’s back.
Serena Williams and Meghan Markle have been relying on each other a lot throughout 2018.
For starters, Williams faced three code violations during her match against Naomi Osaka in the US Open women’s final back in September. The violations resulted in the 23-time Grand Slam winner being fined $4,000 (£3,100) for the coach instructions, $3,000 (£2,300) for smashing her racquet, and $10,000 (£7,800) for “verbal abuse” at Ramos – not to mention seeing her likeness ridiculed in a widely condemned (and “racist”) cartoon.
But during an interview with Australian TV’s The Sunday Project, the tennis player revealed that she’d been heavily relying on one friend in particular to help her get through it all: Meghan Markle.
“We were actually just texting each other this morning,” Williams said at the time. “We have known each other for a long time, but we are really kind of relying on each other a lot recently.”
Now, Williams has returned the favour. During the launch of her clothing collection, Serena at Art Basel in Miami, the tennis player revealed that she’d given Markle some much-needed advice during her pregnancy as she prepares to welcome her first child.
‘’I’m like, ‘How are you?’ and she’s like, ‘No, how are you?’ and I’m like, ‘You’re so sweet, but I’m really asking – how are YOU?’ said Williams, according to People.
“I’m like, ‘Meghan, stop being so nice…you’re the pregnant one, aren’t you supposed to have hormones, why are you so sweet?’ But that’s always been her,” Williams said of her friend.
For those not already aware, Williams first met Markle at a charity football game in 2014, and the duo have remained in touch ever since.
Meghan Markle and Serena Williams at a charity football game in 2014
Williams has always insisted that their “wonderful friendship” has stayed the same since their first meeting – even though Markle is now part of the royal family.
Speaking to the press at Wimbledon earlier this year, Williams said: “Every year for a couple years she [Markle] comes out to Wimbledon, has supported me.
“Now she’s supporting me in a different role. But our friendship is still exactly the same.
“We always have supported each other, just been there for each other through a lot.”
And it’s a wise move as previous studies have shown the importance of confiding in our friends during our time of need because is there anything better than a great female friendship?
Images: Getty