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Serena Williams opens up about sister’s death: 'I went through huge depression'

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Serena Williams. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)
Serena Williams. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)

Cape Town - Tennis ace Serena Williams is getting candid about the most difficult moment in her life.

During an interview with 12-year-old anti-gun-violence activist Naomi Wadler, the tennis star discussed her older sister Yetunde Price, who was fatally shot in 2003, Essence reports.

Yetunde was murdered in the Californian city of Compton in the US while in the passenger seat of a car driven by her partner, Rolland Wormley.

"I was affected personally by gun violence," Serena said in the interview.

"My sister unfortunately passed from that. People are really talking about it now, because it’s happening more widespread...It’s been affecting our community for years," she added.

"I think we need to get comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations. Situations are never really gonna get better if you always avoid it – you have to take it head on."

In an interview with People in 2009, the mom-of-one said her sister’s death had had a huge impact on her.

"I went through depression. I never even talked about it to my mom. No one knew I was in therapy, but I was. I was so close to my sister," she said.

The man convicted of Yetunde’s murder was sentenced to 15 years in prison, of which he served 12 years before being released for good behaviour, Bustle reports.

Sources: People, Essence, Bustle

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