Serena Williams

[Lostincovivi]

AIBU to think:

1. The disrespect Serena is because she is a black woman
2. In her early years in professional tennis, she called out racism - a sin no black person is ever forgiven for

Of course, in her early years, she was not always the most pleasant, but so is Federer

I think she's fantastic.

I think she has also suffered from the 'angry black woman' trope in the media and in the public eye. We all make mistakes but hers have been amplified. If she behaved like Kyrgios does, how would that have gone down? I don't know how she has dealt with all the negativity that comes her way both as a woman and as a black woman.

Love her, she's an amazing role model for young girls who want to get into professional sport imo or even just to get girls interested in Sport in general

I don't really follow her career or life, what disrespect is she being shown?

Bloody love her! Wanted to call DD Serena but DH didn't like it

I don't know much about her or tennis. But having seen the shit back women get I'm not surprised if she was a bit arsey at times. I totally agree that her being a woman and black means she gets scrutiny she wouldn't otherwise. Loads of other tennis plays behave like absolute divas (men and women) but it's her who gets the attention.

Of course, in her early years, she was not always the most pleasant, but so is Federer

Her famous disqualification was in 2018, so not exactly her early years.

Amongst other things she threatened to shove a tennis ball down a line judge's throad because she - rightly - called her on a sodding foot fault.

Whatever her skin colour is she is a dreadful human being.

Greatest living sportswoman, she’s an inspiration. I love her .
I would put her up with the greats male or female, she’s incredible.

She is a poor sportswomen.
Very arrogant and hates been told she is wrong.

Don’t give a toss what colour she is on the outside, inside she is not very nice.

I love her, especially her drive to keep going and achieving.

I love Serena and agree with you 100%.

@LochJessMonster

She is a poor sportswomen. Very arrogant and hates been told she is wrong.

Don’t give a toss what colour she is on the outside, inside she is not very nice.

Yes, most poor sportspeople have a list of achievements like this

@LochJessMonster

She is a poor sportswomen. Very arrogant and hates been told she is wrong.

Don’t give a toss what colour she is on the outside, inside she is not very nice.

Do you see that in male sportspeople too?

Cos that's the point!

Most good sportspeople don't threaten to kill officials.

Like a lot of champions she is arrogant and a bad loser. I can’t tell people they’re wrong for criticising her behaviour in itself but I do feel like she gets more judgement over it because of her race and sex. I’m not sure she’s all that unusual in her behaviour.

Yes, most poor sportspeople have a list of achievements like this

I took the PP as meaning poor sportswoman as in 'poor sportsmanship'. Not her list of achievements?

Then again, I don't know much about tennis.

Serena Williams is a great sportswoman and a superb role model, but she is human, and she has been prone to losing her temper on court throughout her career, as have plenty of other top players, of course.

At times, Serena’s behaviour on court toward officials has been completely unacceptable, unprofessional and disrespectful. She has quite rightly been penalised for these outbursts including fines and disqualification, as would any other player.

In the men’s game, Novak Djokovic has a similar record, and has also been disqualified from a Grand Slam tournament.

2 incidents, compared to the vitriol she receives

Vitriol she receives. Of course many claim to not care what race she is

Way more than 2 incidents.

I couldn't give a flying crap what race she is, that's just a lazy excuse to hide behind. She's an awful role model both on and off the court.

Roger Federer is no stranger to tantrums either.

Strange, most who dislike her are white than black

@CounsellorTroi, he actually tells umpires to fuck off.

Margaret Court is a homophobic, not as many actively hate her

I agree except that I think her being female has contributed to the abuse too. Black women seem to attract greater criticism than either black men or women generally.

I admire her greatly.

Incredible athlete
One of the GOATS of her sport
Has overcome an incredible amount and achieved it all in the face of a an avalanche of racist and sexist abuse.

Is capable of acting like a cunt