Serena Williams' response to the Russian Tennis Federation president's tasteless joke was inevitable. But rival Maria Sharapova coming to Williams' aid wasn't as foreseeable.
Reuters reported that Sharapova joined Williams in denouncing the remarks of Shamil Tarpischev, who referred to Serena and sister Venus as "the Williams brothers" on Russian State Television on Friday.
"I think they were very disrespectful and uncalled for, and I'm glad that many people have stood up, including the WTA," Sharapova said. "It was very inappropriate, especially in his position and all the responsibilities that he has not just in sport, but being part of the Olympic committee. It was just really irresponsible on his side."
The WTA fined Tarpischev $25,000 for his comment and banned him from WTA events for a year.
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According to Reuters, Tarpischev was on a chat show, when the program's host began a comment, "I was at the Olympics, where Maria Sharapova was in the final, playing with one, with one of the. ..." before the RTF head responded by saying "Williams brothers."
Tarpischev later apologized for his remark, saying it was meant as a joke.
Williams did not appreciate Tarpischev's humor, saying his comment ran the gamut of offensive language.
"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," Williams told reporters in Singapore on Sunday, Reuters reported. "I've done the best that I can do, and that's all I can say. So I just wasn't very happy with his comments. I think a lot of people weren't happy as well.
"But the WTA and the USTA (United States Tennis Association) did a wonderful job of making sure that -- in this day of age, 2014 for someone with his power, it's really unacceptable to make such bullying remarks."
Do you think Maria Sharapova was sticking up for Serena Williams or just denouncing the remarks of the Russian Tennis Federation president? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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