Serena Williams has engraved her name in the annals of tennis through her remarkable contributions, both on and off the court. So, when it came to people questioning her dignity, she made sure everyone listened. In 2018, the player hit the headlines after drug-testing officials randomly visited her home. She pointed out the fact that it was discriminatory. However, it was not only she who felt like that. Her ex-boyfriend rapper Common stood in solidarity with her.

The issue of discrimination has been brought up by both Venus and Serena Williams throughout their careers. From officials showing up out of nowhere tp the Indian Wells audience heckling the Williams sisters in 2001, the legendary duo have overcome several difficulties.

Ex-boyfriend Common stood by Serena Williams’ verdict on discrimination

The couple goes back a long way. They both started dating in 2007 and eventually broke up in 2010. However, rapper Common has always admired Serena Williams and has credited her role in his life in a positive manner.

So, when in 2018, Serena Williams spoke against the abrupt and frequent doping tests by the USDA officials, Common supported her. After the incident, she took to Twitter to state, “And it’s that time of the day to get ‘randomly’ drug tested and only test Serena. Out of all the players, it’s been proven I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so.” Taking a dig at the USDA, she stated, “At least I’ll be keeping the sport clean.” 

To support her claims, her ex-boyfriend stepped up. As reported by TMZ, the rapper stated, “If they’re testing her more than anyone else, it’s a reason for that.” Delving deep into the matter of discrimination, Rapper did not try to hide his views. He stated, “And there’s conscious and subconscious and I would say conscious is the fact that she’s a black woman and they’re looking for some reason to be able to take her down and discredit her but she’s the queen!” 

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Her point came with backing because the 23-time Grand Slam champion had been tested at least five times in 2018, as reported by a Deadspin article. And when questions were raised about her absence, she clarified the official had come earlier than the scheduled time. However, this was not the first time something like this had happened.

Williams hid herself in her “panic room” during an abrupt drug test

The statement that she was being discriminated against has not come out of nowhere. This is not the first time that the player has had a doping official pop at her door unannounced.

Back in 2011, the assistant of the player called 911 when Williams suspected a burglary. A doping official had come to her home unannounced. It was around the same time when the police had arrested a stalker who used to monitor her by staying near her home. And when a stranger popped up out of nowhere, she locked herself in her panic room till the confusion cleared up.

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These issues garnered a lot of attention all over the tennis realm. Doping is a serious offence in the sports domain, however, frequent tests like these are a sure shot way of raising suspicion. Do you think Serena Williams was talking about a genuine issue? Let us know your views in the comments below.