Despite being back-to-back with both singles and mixed doubles matches at Wimbledon, Serena Williams still found time to pay homage to her friend, Meghan Markle.
On Thursday, the 23-Grand Slam title holder was asked about 'criticism' directed at the Duchess of Sussex when she attended Wimbledon last week and whether Williams hopes her friend will continue to venture down to SW19.
'I didn't know there was negative media out there, any time I see her name attached to anything I don't read it' said Williams, during a post-match press conference after winning her semi-final game.
'She couldn't be a better friend to me. Low moments, high moments, she's always there and that's all I want to be to her.'
Markle was seen watching her friend of several years at the Championships last week. She was accompanied by two of her oldest friends from college while she cheered on Williams.
After her appearance a couple of members of the Wimbledon crowd claimed they had been told by royal protection officers not to take photos of the Duchess as she was there in a private capacity. They claimed they had not been trying to take photos of Markle, and instead snap selfies of themselves at the court.
Williams has now reached the final of the Grand Slam contest and will play opposite Simona Halep on Saturday, in a bid to win her eighth Wimbledon championship.
On Friday morning, Kensington Palace announced that Markle will watch Williams in the final alongside the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.
Williams and Markle have been friends for quite a few years, during which time they've openly showed their support and respect for one another.
Before Markle was a member of the royal family, Williams wrote of her pride for the Suits actress on Twitter after she wrote about the pervading stigma surrounding menstruation in some developing countries for Time magazine in 2017.
Later that year, for Williams' Vogue cover profile while she was pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia, Markle foresaw that the tennis player would be an 'amazing mum' when she welcomed her daughter.
'The very best, because she is so attuned to balancing strength and sensitivity,' Markle said. 'Plus, given that she is pretty epic at karaoke, I think she'll put her signature Serena spin on singing lullabies for the baby. I can't wait for that!'
When it was Markle's turn to be pregnant, Williams reportedly hosted the Duchess' baby shower in New York City inviting the former actresses' closest friends including her Suits co-stars, Amal Clooney, Jessica Mulroney and more.
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