Serena fires back at jibes by Russian
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WORLD No. 1 Serena Williams slammed Shamil Tarpishchev for using “extremely sexist, racist and bullying” comments after the Russian Tennis Federation president described her and sister Venus as the “Williams brothers”.
The WTA took swift action and fined Tarpishchev US$25,000 and disqualified him from working in an organizational capacity for a year on Saturday after he made the comments on Russian State Television on Friday.
Tarpishchev, who is also an International Olympic Committee member, made an official apology later on Saturday after a WTA demand to do so but that was not enough for Williams.
“I thought they were very insensitive and extremely sexist as well as racist at the same time. I thought they were in a way bullying,” Williams told reporters in Singapore yesterday.
“I’ve done the best that I can do, and that’s all I can say. So I just wasn’t very happy with his comments. I think a lot of people weren’t happy as well.”
Williams is in Singapore to play in the season-ending WTA Finals, which she has won the last two years. The tournament begins today with Williams taking on Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in the opening match.
Also in the field is world No. 2 Maria Sharapova, with whom Williams has endured a frosty relationship. The French Open champion was also offended by the comments of her compatriot.
“I think they were very disrespectful and uncalled for, and I’m glad that many people have stood up, including the WTA,” Sharapova said. “It was very inappropriate, especially in his position.”
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