Racism in Women's Tennis?
Filed under: Zportz > Serena Williams
Larry Scott, the head of the Women's Tennis Association, issued a strong statement in response to assertions made by Richard Williams (poppa of Serena and Venus) to the international press regarding racism on the women's tour.
(A man is in charge of the women's tour????)
Scott stated, “The Tour has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to racism, and I have previously let Mr. Williams know that he should let me know if he ever had evidence of racist comments or acts in women’s professional tennis.”
While his daughters were playing earlier this month in Bangladore, India, Poppa Williams told the country's Deccan Herald, “Well, I’m black and I’m prejudiced, very prejudiced. People are prejudiced in tennis. I don’t think Venus or Serena was ever accepted by tennis. They never will be.”
He said the media treated his daughters unfairly, that it was “the worst media job that they have done on any human being in the world,” and that if he were Serena and Venus, he would have quit playing.
“But if you get some little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert, who cannot hit the ball, they (the media) will claim this is great,” he said.
The women's tennis head said, “Champions like Chris Evert and Tracy Austin have done so much to help build women’s tennis to where it is today, and it is regrettable that anyone would criticize them in this manner.”
A note to the two of them. Pick up the phone. Get together..talk it out. Trading statements via the press isn't helping anything.
Oprah needs to come on board and mediate!
[Image via WENN.]
1st
oh yeah i got first you arse holes!
lamp, hull, ul tuesday massive mash up in the benefit of art wooooooooo! oh yeah free booze
bling bling.
look at that belt.
(lamp hull uk)
Richard Williams is an asshole. Wheres rev. al and jesse when u need them. Still worried about HILL kicking major ass?
i like the williams sisters
So Poppa Williams made a racist comment back?? That doesn't make sense.
3rd 4th 5th bitches!
first
He's so right. I mean who's ever heard of Venus and Serena Williams? Shame on you racist media.
4h hottnesssssss, maryland hottnesss !!! cherry blossoms hottness!!!
will someone please remove the giant chip on poppa william's shoulder.
the guy is racist.
You will NEVER elevate yourself by putting others down.
It always presents like a bad case of the green-eyed monster.
He looks like the bigot here.
WHAT THE FUCK? then how come I am white and the only tennis players I have even heard of that are women = Venus and Serena??? I am so sick of all this race bullshit between the Obama campaign and this. SO SICK OF IT!!!! how is the media treating them unfairly? they are everywhere!! not accepted by tennis? they are tennis STARS and have made a fortune off of tennis. their Dad needs to STFU!
Sounds like he is the Racist!
Ok two things….so he is calling others racist when he says things like "But if you get some little white no-good trasher".
And two, don't blame the press for pointing out that at the beginning every time Serena lost she said she was sick or hurt, AND another black player (Dr. J's Daughter) came out and said she and the Williams Sisters hung out together and made up mean names for all the other girls, like Lindsay Davenport whom they called "Fat Pig" oh yeah, they were real sweethearts.
hijfrigtjjt
meow
It's cute how Papa Williams is doing to Tracy Austin and Chris Evert exactly what he doesn't want done to his daughters. Classy!
The Williams sisters should be appreciated for their accomplishments as women, as women of race, and as the greatest tennis players of their generation. However, this will never happen. No one in their family can keep their mouths shut. They eventually turn off everyone and always seem to show a lack of tact, of understanding, and of class. Their accomplishments on the court could have spoken volumes more than their mouths, but their egos couldn't let that happen. We should all be cheering for them, yet instead most of us loathe them.
Seriously…we're still here? Racism works both ways. Everyone needs to stop playing the race card and start being plain old good human beings! Is that too much to ask for?
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White trash is a racist comment. It's funny how it's OK to say white trash or cracker but it's OK for black people to be prejudiced.
racism is everywhere so no suprise……poor world
Prejudice does not cancel out prejudice. I'm so sick of hearing about people who are prejudice to others claiming that they are that way because someone else was first. What, are we in 3rd grade? STOP PEREPETUATING THE CYCLE AND STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND PLAYING VICTIM. IT IS TIME TO RISE ABOVE.
Re: Fatz – Seriously. Quit trying to market on a blog - especially this blog - really not the right market for your company and your veiled attempts to look legit are blantantly obvious. Just buy a damn ad!
He's not doing his gifted daughters any favors with his sour grapes statements.
He needs to slip into the quiet background. His girl's tennis speaks for itself.
His internal bias is from decades ago. Let the future have a fresh start.
well there it is.only in america!
His daughters are racists too! Once when I was at the US Open, one of my (white) nieces went up to Serena and she refused to sign an autograph for her. She then went on to a black child and no problem signed an autograpgh. I was so stunned and shocked, a worker came up to me and said they don't sign for white people-they are racist and nasty. I will never be a fan of the Williams sisters, and I am NOT a racist!
Richard Williams's outrageous claims do his daughters a serious disservice. He should keep his impulsive, ignorant remarks to himself. Go Venus! Go Serena!
Mary Carillo, among many others, has had nothing but praise for the sistas from the jump and they are definitely respected.
Re: ANDY27 – Take your meds. Not the forum for that kind of bullshit. Go find a gay sex blog to post that on.
Is he fucking crazy? Their names are known all over the world for more than just tennis. They are RESPECTED tennis players without all of the trashy drama other white tennis players have attracted to themselves.
Mr. Williams, you are HIGHLY mistaken. People like you are TRULY the reason why there is still racism today… because of IGNORANCE. You ASSUME something and automatically believe it to be a truth… How incredibly sad that you cannot be happy for your two highly successful, beautiful and talented daughters because of their skin color. Shame on you.
So this guy is claiming racism, then in the same breath calls Tracy Austin or Chris Evert "little white no-good trasher!" Why doesn't this surprise me anymore? Is it just me, or is there this major double standard that the media doesn't want you to talk about.
Their father has always been an idiot. Venus and Serena have reaped tons of rewards from their status on the pro circuit and have been acknowledged for their talent and accomplishments. they have a reputation for being sore losers and let's be honest, Venus is a mediocre player. She had her peak and now she's not a superstar. It's sour grapes on his part. Without his daughters, their success and their acceptance by the WTA, Mr. Williams wouldn't have the money, notoriety or platform to spew his idiotic comments. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, especially when its been this good to you.
A man in charge of women's tennis? If they only hired women they would get in trouble for discrimination. Williams has to learn to shut his mouth at times. Complaining about Chris Evert & Austin is insulting and inappropriate. Yes, there probably is discrimination against blacks in tennis by some, but don't hit on others that are not even involved. and the tennis assoc. can not control views from India. The williams sisters have made great strides, but all will be forgotten if their father doesn't learn to control his mouth, temper.
what an idiot. everybody loves serena and venus. the media doesnt shorthand them at all, if anything they receive even greater recognition by the media because they are black. i think venus and serena are great. their dad sounds like a drama queen.
Just another 2 nigglets who take steroids like most other nappy headed hoes in sports that are black. these monkeys should be stopped. they have take so much growth hormone that they no longer have a vag. they are so gross and are awful and need to be shipped back to africa where they can be and have sex with apes like they used to. this is an awful thing that they are even looked at becuz they are pure darkness in more ways than one! ewwwww
Wonder what Chrisy E and Tracy A would have to say.
Maybe….he has a point?
Wonder what Billy Jean King would have to say?
Maybe….I can relate?
Blacks get away with saying so much more racist shit than whites. They are more racist than any other group.
pff, mr williams always need attention. he just wanted publicity.
Scott is a bit bored with all those diva's fathers talking shit!
wanna laugh?
www.intheknowwithhpro.com
There father is kinda trifling unless you have substantial proof you shouldn't accuse especially since his daughters are the most beloved tennis stars on the planet so what the hell is he talking about.
Re: nigglets are nasty – Go back to your meth lab pig.
Re: Lauren – thank you for your post. I know that black people are the biggest haters around. When Trading Spouses did a show with that lady from Lousiana " fence post riders", the heavy set woman..she went to a black guys house and he ridiculed her to death. He was exactly like that pastor of obama's. Black people scare me.
Why don't they appreciate their huge fortune and elevated status in the world?
Greatness always comes with B.S. Just ask Wayne Gretzky or Beckham.
When is enough money, enough? Williams Dad has to DECIDE to be happy.
Poor Dad has old negative tapes replaying in his head. He needs to decide to live a new reality. This sh*t shouldn't be foisted upon the sucessful new generations of black kids by the oldsters who lived a different reality. They need to believe that the sky is the limit, because it is. If you keep pointing out perceived inequities (just out of envy) where there may be none, the kids will learn to only see the nitpicking stuff, and will not rightfully revel in their achievements. Think positively. Gawd.
Its Bangalore India perez not "Bangladore"
Richard Williams needs to fuck off.
Richard Williams is an idiot. If it weren't for people like Chris Evert and Tracey Austin opening doors his daughters wouldn't even have a career. And how exactly does the media treat his daughters unfairly? They have multi-million dollar endorsement deals in spite of the fact that their tennis is inconsistent at best AND they are both ugly as Hell. Richard Williams needs to shut the fuck up and stop embarrassing his daughters.
………THE WILLIAMS SISTERS ARE UNGRACIOUS, ILL MANNERED CREEPS WHOSE REPUTATION ON THE CIRCUIT WAS THAT THEY "GOT JUST WHAT THEY GAVE." THEY CAME INTO TENNIS, THANKS TO THEIR FATHER, WITH ENORMOUS CHIPS ON THEIR SHOULDERS; THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY SCHOOLED BY THEIR IDIOT FATHER THAT ALL "THESE WHITE PEOPLE WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU. JUST BEAT THEIR WHITE ASSES." EACH BECAME A GREAT CHAMPION, BUT NEVER PUT FORTH ANY EFFORT TO BE PART OF THE TENNIS ESTABISHMENT THAT HAS ENRICHED EACH, AND NOW THEY WHINE THAT THEY WERE THE OBJECTS OF RACISM AND BIGOTRY…….GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.
…………WHEN YOU TREAT OTHER PEOPLE LIKE SHIT, THE OTHER PEOPLE TIRE OF IT AND JUST TREAT YOU THE SAME. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED. EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS, A RETIRED TRACY AUSTIN, AND TOP TENNIS COMMENTATOR, BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO BE GRACIOUS TO THESE TWO INGRATES AND SHE WAS GIVEN NOTHING BUT "ATTITUDE" AND REBUFFED.
………THEY "ONLY" LEARNED TO SMILE AND WAVE WHEN THEIR OLD MAN IMPRESSED UPON THEM LATER THAT THE ENDORSEMENTS WOULD NOT COME OR WOULD DRY UP IF THEY DID NOT. BOTTOM LINE: THE FUCKTARDS BEHAVED LIKE IGNORANT AND SPITEFUL AND HATEFUL OUTSIDERS AND NOW THE OLD FOOL FATHER BITCHES THAT THEY WERE TREATED LIKE IT. JUST A DAMNED FLOCK OF DODOS BITING THEY HANDS THAT MADE THEM RICH. FUCK THEM ALL…..LET THEM WHINE.
They are the two ugliest fat things I have ever seen. I'm sure they don't have any boyfriends. Their dad is probably their boyfriend. Sick bitches.
Williams and Rev. Wright should run together in 4 years on the same ticket.
i totally understand your position mr williams and to that i say blow me i,m bathog
Man who point out speck of dust on beautiful table, not appreciate table.
They can get a guy, that's why they hate. No black man wants them, no white man wants them. they look like two trannys that do each other. Dogs, I tell ya, dogs.
I LIVE IN INDIA AND ALL THEY GET FROM THE PRESS WHEN THEY WIN IS PRAISE!!!!
HOW BITTER ARE THESE BLACK FOLKS IN AMERICA?
IT'S JUST SHAMEFULLY REGRETTING…THEY SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE IT TO BED?
Oh, and calling white people white trash is OK? Blacks are more racist than white, so I don't listen when they cry racism. The "reverend" Wright is another one.
It seems that Mister Williams doesn't like Black people…he is going out of his way to bring that fact to our no good white trash attention. Ignorance is bliss Mr. Williams Ignorance is bliss!
people always say that whites are the most predjudice, BULLSHIT! Blacks are much worse. They are the ones always talking shit. Mr. Williams, Rev Sharpton, they are the worst ones. Its assholes like them, that make whites and blacks hate each other!! Fuckers.
Re: Brittany – everybody DOESN"T love the williams sisters & their own racism. they & people like them, are why racism still exists. them & their giant chips on their shoulders, while they make more money than most people.
I'm sorry, what? Last I heard the media did nothing but praise them and act like they were the greatest thing to ever happen to tennis.
IT MUST SUCK TO HAVE THAT BIG MOUTH,
AND BAD HAIR EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIVES.
ALL THAT MONEY AND THEY CAN'T FIX ANYTHING
THAT MAKES THEM LOOK GOOD. THEY SUCK.
LOL…SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE HERE PROVE HIS POINT…ALOT OF YOU SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF RACISTS.
they have their own tennis line; they had a deal with mcdonalds; and anyone who doesnt even know shit about tennis knows venus and serena. y must the race card always be played???
seems to me like Poppa Williams is doing the DOUBLE STANDARD thing about prejudices…. "Poppa Williams told the country's Deccan Herald, “Well, I’m black and I’m prejudiced, very prejudiced." - but then turns around and says his daughter's received bad media, the worst ever and then he turns around and says "“But if you get some little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert, who cannot hit the ball, they (the media) will claim this is great,” he said - SHAME SHAME SHAME on you Poppa Williams - every one is created equally - it is about time you look past skin color - and SHAME on you for making comments like that about Chris Evert…. SHAME - you better check yourself
THEIR DAD PIMPED THEM OUT TO ME AND MY BROTHERS.
Sounds like Richard williams is the racist
Re: honygirl –
HUH? FUCK THEM. THEY ARE UGLY BROWN MONKEY FACED MONKEYS FROM AFRICA. THEY PICK THEIR LICE AND EAT IT. OH, MY BAD, LICE WON'T GET ON THEM. LICE IS TOO GOOD FOR THEM. THEY ARE CREEPY, THEY ARE REALLY CREEPY. LESBOS
What a shame! He must not think very highly of his daughters talent if he has to insult other (phenomenal) players and the media and pull the race card. True talent can speak for itself. He admits to being prejudiced with pride, yet criticizes others for the same thing? There is a sad double standard and so many black people feel that they are entitled to be racist. Obama has opened that can of worms wide open and nw we have everyone playing the race card like it is acceptable. Every vote for Obama is a vote for a country that will become more divided by race than ever before.
Then to have the nerve to suggest Oprah can fix this, she is racist also.
People who have never been prejudice or racist are starting to feel tinges of bias because of what's going on. It is the blacks that are perpetuating racism, they will not let it go away.
It's only going to keep getting worse people, think carefully who you vote for.
Richard Williams views on race were formed during the Jim Crow era, much like this idiot minister who started the whole Obama mess. Much like white men of the Jim Crow era, their views on race are never going to change. We should write off anyone over the ager of 50 and focus on those uf us who grew up in a very different time and era. You speak to many teens and 20 somethings today and they have absolutely no problem with race. We have the highest rate of cross racial marriages in history at this moment. THAT should tell you something on where views on race are going inthis country, in a far more positive direction. His daughters are great champions and his 1950s views tarnish their legacy. And to denigrate Chris Evert is ridiculous. His daughters make the money they do today because of Evert and Navratilova. Billie Jean King founded the WTA and the two of them made it what it is today. If the tennis community has any issue with Serena and Venus it is that they are not signle minded champions the way Evert (18 Slams) Navratilova (18 Slams) and Graf (22 Slams) were.