Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has said the recent violence directed at African Americans in the US has made her fear for the safety of her young family members.

Speaking after winning a seventh Wimbledon title and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam, Williams said: "I feel anyone in my colour in particular is of concern. I do have nephews [and] I'm thinking, 'do I have to call them and tell them, don't go outside?'

"'If you get in your car, it might be the last time I see you'. That is something that I think is of great concern because it will be devastating. They're very good kids."

The 34-year-old tennis champion, who beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets, said the recent shootings in Dallas have done nothing to ease racial tensions.

"I don't think that the answer is to continue to shoot our young black men in the United States," Williams added. "It's just unfortunate."

Addressing the current situation in the US, Williams said: "Violence is not the answer of solving it. The shooting in Dallas was very sad. No one deserves to lose their life, doesn't matter what colour they are, where they're from."

On Thursday, Williams posted a message on Twitter lamenting the shooting of Philando Castile in Minnesota, the second of two black men shot by police in the past week.