Russian Tennis Official Suspended After Referring To Serena & Venus As The “Williams Brothers”

You’d think Serena and Venus Williams being accomplished tennis stars would earn them massive amounts of respect in the tennis world. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true. The sisters were the subject of unnecessary hate last week when Russian Tennis Federation President and member of the International Olympic Committee, Shamil Tarpischev went on television and made both sexist and racist comments about the tennis titans.

During a late-night TV show appearance, the official referred to the sisters as the “Williams brothers” and “frightening to look at.” Though Tarpischev claimed he was only joking, Serena didn't find it funny about his remarks, calling them insensitive and extremely racist and sexist.

"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 just wasn't very happy with his comments. I think a lot of people weren't happy as well."
Unlike in the music industry, where men can get away with making insensitive comments about women, the sports world is not as lenient. The Women’s Tennis Association took immediate action and as a result, Tarpischev was suspended for one year and levied a $25,000 fine, the maximum allowed.

WTA Tour chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement: "The statements made by Shamil Tarpischev on Russian television with respect to two of the greatest athletes in the history of women’s tennis are 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."

Tarpischev also issued a semi-apology while saying that his words were taken out of context, once translated: "I am sorry that the joke which was translated into English out of its context of a comedy show drew so much attention. I don’t think this situation is worth all the hoopla because those words were said without any malice."

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