Serena Williams Uses Scripture to Emphasize Forgiveness in Returning to Indian Wells Masters
Serena Williams, the 33-year-old professional tennis star, is using scripture to explain her decision to a tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., 14 years after she experienced racism there.
Williams decided to write a personal essay for TIME magazine recently, where she explained that she would forgive the racism aimed at her during the Indian Wells Masters in 2001. The Indian Wells Masters was Williams' first career win with her sister Venus in a doubles match in 1997.
While her return to Indian Wells resulted in Williams beating out her competition and winning the coveted trophy for the second time, she was met with racism by some members of the crowd after her sister had to back out of playing her at the match due to injury.
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The Williams sisters were met with boos and jeers from the crowd in attendance. Some accused the Williams family of fixing the match, which upset both the famed sisters and their coach father Richard.
"This haunted me for a long time. It haunted Venus and our family as well," Serena recalled in her TIME essay. "But most of all, it angered and saddened my father. He dedicated his whole life to prepping us for this incredible journey, and there he had to sit and watch his daughter being taunted, sparking cold memories of his experiences growing up in the South."
While Serena said she would never return to Indian Wells after the experience, she decided to forgive the wrongs she endured 14 years ago. Now that she is at a point where she has nothing to prove, Serena says she is proud to return to Indian Wells with love and "a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness."
"I was raised by my mom to love and forgive freely. 'When you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you' (Mark 11:25)," the tennis star wrote. "I have faith that fans at Indian Wells have grown with the game and know me better than they did in 2001. Indian Wells was a pivotal moment of my story, and I am a part of the tournament's story as well. Together we have a chance to write a different ending."
Years ago, Serena wrote for Guideposts where she revealed that she relies on God when playing tennis.
"One rule in tennis is that every other game you switch ends of the court with your opponent. Every changeover, I bow my head, close my eyes," Serena wrote in a previous Guideposts essay. "And I pray, Help me stay strong out here. Help me stay calm and do my best. Thank you, Lord."
