Serena Williams Slams Russian Tennis Official for ''Sexist'' and ''Racist'' Comments

Find out what the sports star is saying

By Brett Malec Oct 20, 2014 6:52 PMTags
Serena Williams, New York Fashion Week, NYFWMonica Schipper/Getty Images

Serena Williams is slamming Russian tennis official Shamil Tarpischev after Tarpischev recently made rude comments about her and sister Venus Williams.

While appearing on a Russian TV show the other day, Tarpischev referred to Venus and Serena as the "Williams brothers," angering many sports fans and resulting in a one-year ban for Tarpischev by the World Tennis Association. Now, Serena is responding to the unfavorable joke.

"I think the WTA did a great job of taking initiative and immediately taking action to his comments," the 33-year-old U.S. Open champion told reporters during the WTA Tour Finals in Singapore. "I thought his comments were very insensitive and extremely sexist as well as racist at the same time. I thought they were in a way bullying."

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"I have done the best that I could do and that's all I can say. I just wasn't very happy with his comments and I think a lot of people weren't happy as well," Serena added. "But the WTA and the USTA [U.S. Tennis Association], they 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, insensitive bullying remarks."

Tennis star Maria Sharapova also condemned Tarpischev's comments. "I think they were very disrespectful and uncalled for, and I'm glad that many people have stood up, including the WTA," Sharapova told the press. "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. It was just really irresponsible on his side."

Meanwhile, Serena didn't let a little controversy get in the way of her game. She won the WTA Finals opening game against Ana Ivanovic today!