“She Changed My Diapers”- Unable to Get Over Sister’s Death, Serena Williams Once Made a Heart-Wrenching Revelation about Life’s Flailing Uncertainty

Venus and Serena Williams reigned the court and set a bar for the upcoming generation of WTA players. This was possible only with the support of their family, who stood by them during their training and careers. Hence, losing one of them, that too in a tragic death, took a toll on the family. Serena Williams, who at the time was cementing her spot as a tennis great, detailed the impact her eldest sister Yetunde Price had on her life.

The grief surrounding the tragic loss lingered long after Price’s passing. Years later, Serena Williams wished for just one thing. i.e. to have a warm moment with the sister she shared a deep bond with from such a tender age.

Serena Williams had reminisced childhood memories with sister Yetunde Price 

The young American had become the talk of the town with her sensational performance after her win at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2003. However, hot on the heels of those victories came some disturbing news. Serena Williams faced a setback after finding out that her elder sister, Yetunde Price, was murdered in a drive-by shooting case. The shooting took place less than a mile away from the court Williams learned the sport.

This took a toll both on her career and mental well-being. As the youngest sibling, Serena Williams could not imagine being away from her eldest sister. In an interview with PEOPLE in 2007, she stated, “Yetunde and I were so close; she changed my diapers.” However, she had to make her peace with reality. The tennis superstar added, “But I finally came to an acceptance of things.” Williams went on to express her struggle in grappling with the idea of no longer having her bigger sister around.

15 years later, she told TIME, “No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior.” Going down memory lane, she said with remorse, “It’s unfair that she’ll never have an opportunity to hug me.”

Three years after Price’s death, law enforcement charged Robert Maxfield with voluntary manslaughter. Initially, on a 15-year sentence, he was paroled after 12 years. Speaking of her sentiments towards him, Serena Williams stated, “I want to forgive.” At the same time, she relayed she wasn’t there yet but hopes to be one day.

Fast forward two decades later, to remember and commemorate the loss, Venus and Serena Williams started the Yetunde Price Resource Center in 2016. The duo joined hands with a new artist for a charitable cause for the center.

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The Williams sisters commemorate 20 years of Price’s passing with a noble cause

Venus and Serena Williams joined hands with renowned African-American artist Ernie Barnes to raise funds for the Yetunde Price Resource Center. The ‘Holding Court’ auction on the 24th of July raised funds for the Yetunde Price Resource Center. The Center focuses on the welfare of the people who have been victims of violence and trauma.

Along with driving effective changes in the tennis realm, the duo has always made sure to uplift people off the court too. Everything they do at the Yetunde Price Resource Center is geared towards the memory of their sister – their loss and enduring love for her, years on.

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