CAMELOT FANTASIES

This really kills me, especially when people talk about Serena's "outbursts." It's funny how they never recall the constant, disparaging remarks made against them, all based on cultural traits. They have endured so many racial epithets it's not even funny, and the moment they lose their cool, all of a sudden they're the bad guys. What's even sadder is that these insults usually come from those in "authority."

Unreal.

Shamil Tarpischev refers to Serena and Venus as "Williams Brothers" on Russian Television, Fined $25K by WTA
http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/October-2014/Shamil-Tarpischev-refers-to-Serena-and-Venus-as-W.aspx#sthash.O9XavWCS.dpuf

 During the lead-up to this week’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow, Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev engaged in a regrettable dialog with a Russian television host. During the taping of a popular Russian late-night TV show called Evening Urgant, Tarpischev, who was a guest alongside of former WTA star Elena Dementieva, called Venus and Serena Williams "brothers“ much to the delight of the show’s host, Ivan Urgant.
Thanks to the tennisinfoblog.com, there is a tidy translation of the transcript (we’ve quoted their handiwork below):
    During the interview, the host asked, “How it feels to play against one of the…hmmm…? “Williams brothers,” helped Tarpischev. Urgant continued: “Look at our athletes–elegant and beautiful. I have tremendous respect for them [Williams sisters], but once one of the sisters passed next to me, and I found myself in her shadow for about forty seconds. They are so physically powerful. Weren’t you afraid to play against them?” Dementieva didn’t seem particularly amused by the conversation.
You can watch the video above and, even if you don’t understand Russian, you can get a feel for how Tarpischev insults the Williams sisters with his ignorant, demeaning remarks and seems to be getting a good laugh out of it. This is the President of the Russian Tennis Federation on national TV. Not good at all.
Thanks to Twitter user @ULTM8SerenaWilliamsf for bringing the incident to light and for getting the attention of some important people in the tennis world:
- See more at: http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/October-2014/Shamil-Tarpischev-refers-to-Serena-and-Venus-as-W.aspx#sthash.O9XavWCS.dpuf
USTA response to recent comments by Shamil Tarpischev regarding the Williams sisters
October 17, 2014 03:43 PM
“As the President of the USTA and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Federation, I call on Shamil Tarpischev to issue a formal apology to Venus and Serena Williams. As the President of the Russian Tennis Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Tarpischev is expected to conduct himself with the highest degree of integrity and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, his comments do not embody either of these traits and in fact were reprehensible.”