Serena Williams on Meghan Markle: 'We're relying on each other a lot'

The tennis star and the duchess regularly text each other for support

Serena Williams has revealed the extent to which she and the Duchess of Sussex rely on each other when coping with the trials and tribulations of intense media scrutiny.

While competing in this year’s US Open, the tennis star was thrown into the spotlight to an even greater degree than usual due to her choice to wear a tutu throughout the tournament and her widely discussed row with umpire Carlos Ramos during the final match.

Williams has been a close friend of the duchess for a number of years, having met at the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida in 2010.

However, according to the 23-time Grand Slam winner, their friendship has evolved and strengthened in recent times due to the amount of attention that they’ve both been receiving on a global scale.

Williams was being interviewed by Lisa Wilkinson of The Sunday Project when she spoke candidly about her friendship with the royal.

“We were actually just texting each other this morning,” she said when asked whether they ever message each other for advice.

“We have known each other for a long time, but we really are relying on each other a lot recently.”

Last week, Williams demonstrated her support for Meghan’s involvement in the creation of Together: Our Community Cookbook, a recipe book produced with the aim of supporting families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

The cookbook marks the duchess’ first solo project since becoming a member of the royal family.

Williams expressed her pride in her close friend on Twitter, writing: “I used to call you Meghan (and I still do) but dear Duchess of Sussex your first project ‘Together’ a cookbook bringing women of all cultures together.

“I could not be more excited about it and proud of you.

“It’s beautiful - diversity, inclusivity, coming together in grief or joy.”

In 2017 when Williams was pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., Meghan praised her close friend as she prepared to embark on the exciting and unpredictable journey of motherhood.

“She will be an amazing mum,” the duchess told Vogue at the time.

“The very best, because she is so attuned to balancing strength and sensitivity."