Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have paid tributes to Nelson Mandela on his 101st birth anniversary. The former South African President and anti-apartheid revolutionary was one of the greatest leaders and revolutionary world has ever seen.
Mandela had always been very appreciative of sports for its power to break down racial barriers. He had famously said:
“Sport is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers, sport has the power to change the world.”
What did Serena Williams say about Mandela?
While paying tribute to Mandela, the American, Serena Williams said:
“Nelson Mandela is one of those people that always brought light, his strength to come out and fight for what is right is something that obviously motivates and inspires myself and every person on this planet. The words he said about sport—it doesn’t matter what color you are, you can still be the best.”
Roger Federer has a special connection with South Africa, his mother Lynette was born there. The Swiss is helping educational and other philanthropic causes in South Africa through his Roger Federer Foundation. Here is what the Swiss great said about Mandela:
“He’s been very influential, an amazing personality, you know, believed in something, had to pay a big price for it, someone you can definitely look up to and that’s very important for me.”
What Novak Djokovic said about Mandela
The Wimbledon champion of 2019, Djokovic said of Mandela:
“Nelson Mandela is one of those people that always brought light, his strength to come out and fight for what is right is something that obviously motivates and inspires myself and every person on this planet.”
Video Credit: Laureus Sports Awards Foundation
