Serena Williams, Djokovic, Becker reminisce Mandela’s speech back in 2000

Nelson Mandela has inspired all communities around the world for how he has managed to achieve the transition in South Africa from a regime that was based on the horrific apartheid to a country based on democracy. Mandela was exemplary in avoiding a civil war between the black and the white community.

Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Boris Becker had the opportunity to comment on one of Mandela’s speeches back in 2000 when the Africa legend had an appearance at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards.

At that event, Mandela stressed how important is the sport with the role of inspiring people and bring the communities together. The African was quite keen on the role of the sport and “used” rugby as a mean to show to the different communities in South Africa that they can stick and win together. That was his concept of the so-called “Rainbow Nation.” The Springboks (the International South African rugby team) won the world cup in 1994 on the home soil soon after the end of the apartheid to gift the people around to globe of one of the greatest pages in the history of sports.

“Sport has the power to change the world, It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination,” Mandela commented

Serena

Serena has won the Laureus Award on 5 occasions and she can’t forget that speech. The former world no.1 was particularly impressed by the fact that Mandela knew pretty well who Serena was even if the American didn’t achieve (yet) her incredible slam tally.

“Being there in the crowd when Nelson Mandela was addressing us, was a really great experience. The words he said about sport, it doesn’t matter what colour you are, you can still be the best. What struck me most about Mr Mandela was the fact that he knew everything about me, and I’m thinking ‘no, I know everything about you! We just had an incredible conversation about things we wanted to do in the world, and it was a real changing point in my life,” Williams said.

Djokovic

Djokovic conquered the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award on 4 occasions. The Serbian sensation is well-known for his fighting spirit. This was also a key characteristic of Mandela loved by the world no.1

“Nelson Mandela is one of those people that always brought the light. His strength to come out and fight for what is right is something that motivates and obviously inspires myself and every person on this planet,” said Djokovic.

Becker

The German is a Laureus Academy Member and he had the opportunity to meet Mandela on a couple of occasions.

“At the Laureus World Sports Awards 2000 in Monaco and a holiday in South Africa in 2007, I was one that had the honour to meet Nelson Mandela. To shake hands with him was for me a very special moment. For us Laureus Academy Members it is an honour that a personality as he stood behind the idea of Laureus and supported us as Patron,” Becker said.

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Serena Williams in 2020

Ranked world no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 8^th of February when she lost to Anastasija Sevastova 7-6⁵ 3-6 7-6⁴ in the Rubber 4 of the Fed Cup.

This season Serena has a 8-2 win-loss record. Serena clinched 1 title in Auckland.

Novak Djokovic in 2020

Now the world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 29^th of February when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 80^th career title.

Currently, this year the Serbian has a 18-0 win-loss record. Novak conquered 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.