Shamil Tarpischev of the Russian Tennis Federation has been handed a one year suspension imposed by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for comments he made about Tennis champions, Venus and Serena Williams.
During an appearance on a local TV talk show alongside former Olympic single champion Elena Dementieva, Mr Tarpischev, made a remark that Serena Williams thought was 'extremely sexist, racist and bullying' comment.
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When Dementieva was asked what it was like playing with the William sisters, Tarpischev cut it and called them "Williams brothers" before adding...."It's scary when you really look at them"
The suspension comes with a fine of $25, 000. Speaking in Singapore, ahead of her WTA finals defense, Williams said.....
"I think the WTA did a great job of taking (the) Initiative and taking immediate action to his comment. I thought they were very insensitive and extremely sexist as well as racist at the same time. I thought that they were in a way bullying".
When asked whether he regretted his comment, Tarpischev, initially told AP that the program aon which he made the comment was a 'humorous show' He added that he 'didn't understand' his one year ban. But in a statement later released by the Russian Tennis Federation the chief denied any 'malicious intent' and said that his quotes had been taken out of context.
Williams, currently the world's number one is going into the WTA finals on the back of another Steller year. wining six titles including the US open.
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