On 01 July 2014, Serena Williams fell ill during a doubles tennis match at the Wimbledon Championships. As a result of her sickness, she had problems with her coordination and vision. As she was struggling physically, Chris Evert and Pam Shriver who were commentating on behalf of ESPN suggested that Serena Williams was under the influence of drugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1ovzG5SZDQ

We decided to start this petition to ask Evert, Shriver and ESPN to apologize because the comments made against Serena Williams were not only speculative and distasteful, it was also disparaging, libelous, pejorative, malicious and slanderous. During the match broadcast, Chris Evert said,  “It will be interesting. Is it a virus? Is it something unintentional or intentional in her system that they may drug test for whatever reason something has affected her?” while Pam Shriver said, “Well they do have drug testing at all the majors and there will be a lot of speculation about what in the world is wrong with Serena Williams and we will find out as much as we can.” 

As a result of these comments, Evert , Shriver and ESPN have unintentionally given “Serenaphobes” and others who are  prejudiced against her the ammunition they need to downplay Serena’s legacy, integrity and achievements.

Serena is one of the greatest players to have ever played tennis and she has faced her fair share of tragedy including the loss of her sister and almost dying as a result of pulmonary embolism. To suggest that a person who is seriously sick is under the influence of drugs is a typical example of (wo)man's inhumanity to (wo)man.
 
Chris Evert and Pam Shriver need to remember that as commentators for a media house that broadcasts to millions of viewers across the world,  they have a responsibility not to make inaccurate, misleading or distorted comments that may jeopardize an individual’s integrity.
 
Ever since Serena Williams began her career, she has been on the receiving end from a number of tennis fans, fellow competitors and some section of the media. An apology from Evert, Shriver and ESPN would bring some relief to Serena Williams.

For more information about the injustice inflicted on Serena, read Merlisa Lawrence Corbett's article

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2134263-was-media-out-of-line-with-serena-williams-drug-accusations-during-wimbledon

 
Please sign this petition to ask Evert, Shriver and ESPN to apologize to Serena Williams.