Serena Williams Slams Russian Tennis Official for Racist, Sexist Comment

By Isha Aran  |  October 19, 2014 | 9:02pm

Yesterday, Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev was fined $25,000 and suspended for one year by the Women’s Tennis Association Tour after making some incredibly stupid and offensive comments about Serena and Venus Williams. Serena has commended the WTA’s response.

Last week on a talk show, Tarpischev referred to the sibling tennis stars as “the Williams brothers” and stated that it’s “frightening when you look at them.”

Obviously the WTA did not take kindly to that, declaring the comments were “insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place in our sport.” Serena’s response, via BBC:

“I thought they were very insensitive and extremely sexist as well as racist at the same time,” said Williams.
“I thought they were, in a way, bullying. I just wasn’t very happy with his comments. I think a lot of people weren’t happy as well.”

Tarpischev has since responded:

“I didn’t want to offend any athlete with my words. I regret that this joke has garnered so much attention. I don’t think this incident deserves so much fuss.”

Yeah, and I don’t think the Williams sisters deserve those insults retroactively disguised as jokes.

Image via Getty.

 
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