Serena Williams’ social media presence has drawn an attentive crowd in the past two weeks as the tennis star issued a strong hint, then a confirmation that she was pregnant with she and fiancé Alexis Ohanian’s first child.
Amid the congratulatory posts and post from those marveling at how she stole the Australian Open from her sister while two months pregnant, Serena also had to deal with negative comments—mostly from lowly internet trolls—but one comment came from Romanian tennis official Ilie Nastase, who found Serena’s pregnancy announcement the appropriate time to drop this gem:
“Let’s see what color it has. Chocolate with milk?”
The insensitive comment was made in his native Romanian, so it’s possible the comment was meant to be more benign, but that seems doubtful. Williams, demonstrating far more restraint than was necessary, responded to the comment with an Instagram post featuring the words of poet Maya Angelou:
Her ending plea has been heard and acted on by the International Tennis Federation. Tennis has long been marketed as the most polite of games, and there’s little chance the governing body would allow its biggest star to be prodded by the likes of Nastase. He was quickly suspended from the sport for his comment and for crassly asking the captain of Great Britain’s tennis team, Anne Keothavong, for her hotel room number during a press event that same day. Not that it has any bearing on his intent, but Keothavong is married and pregnant with her second child.
Here’s the second offense, caught on camera:
No word on how long the suspension will last, but hopefully it’s long enough for Nastase to consider the threat he represents to the social progress of tennis.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.