Serena Williams has called out Russian Tennis Federation president, #ShamilTarpischev, for being "sexist” and “racist" after he referred to her and her sister #VenusWilliams as the “William Brothers” during his appearances on a TV talk show on Friday. He also said of the sisters: "It's scary when you really look at them.”
On Sunday, Serena responded to Shamil's comments at a press conference for WTA Finals in Singapore, saying:
"I think the WTA did a great job of taking initiative and taking immediate action to his comments. 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. 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... But the WTA and the USTA did a wonderful job of making sure that - in this day of age, 2014, for someone with his power, it's really unacceptable to make such bullying remarks."
Russian tennis player #MariaSharapova also spoke out about the comments. She said:
"I think they were very disrespectful and uncalled for and I'm glad that many people have stood up, including the WTA. It was very inappropriate, especially in his position and all the responsibilities that he has not just in sport, but being part of the Olympic committee."
On Saturday, the chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association, Stacy Allaster condemned Shamil’s remarks and said they were:
"insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place in our sport. Mr Tarpischev's statements questioning their genders tarnish our great game and two of our champions. His derogatory remarks deserve to be condemned and he will be sanctioned."
Shamil, who is also a member of the International Olympic committee, was fined $25,000 and banned by WTA for a year. He has since issued an apology and said that his comments were taken "out of a context.”
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