AFP, Los Angeles :
The WTA said Friday it has fined Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev $25,000 over a comment questioning the gender of Serena and Venus Williams.
In a statement released on Friday, WTA chief executive Stacey Allaster blasted the remarks made on a late-night chat show, which according to translations circulated on English-language social media included referring to the US superstars as the “Williams brothers.”
“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,” Allaster said.
Officials of the worldwide women’s tennis tour said that the $25,000 fine is the maximum allowed under their rules.
