Serena Williams
Start writing a post
Currently

Serena Williams Was Right To Call Out That Sexist Umpire

This progressive sport is losing its streak.

259
Serena Williams

Professional tennis has long been esteemed in the sports world as a standard of excellence in terms of gender equality due to the extensive history of fighting for equal pay for equal play. However, assessing inequalities in pay for tournament prize money is only the beginning of what needs to be addressed in terms of gender disparities in the sport.

Serena Williams, a recent mother and phenom in the world of tennis has dealt time and time again with issues that wouldn't be presented had she had been a white male. Seems harsh, however, it is entirely true.

In light of recent controversy surrounding Serena William's upsetting loss in the championship round of the U.S. Open, we are reminded once again that the professional tennis stage is not an equal playing field or court.

During the match, the umpire accused Serena of taking hand gestures from her coach sitting in the stands. At this point in the match, she was already down a set and needed to bounce back in the second to have a fighting chance of playing the third set. This accusation stunned Serena into a tirade that was fueled by her desire to fight for the future rights of tennis players.

She responded to the umpire, "You stole a point from me and you are a thief." This response was retaliated by a penalty ruling after smashing her racquet and further renunciation of Serena toward the umpire, "I have a daughter and I stand for what's right for her."

This behavior has been seen countless times in men's tennis, to the extent that it has been normalized in society. Yet a woman who is playing the exact same sport with the exact same rules is humiliated in the name of double standards.

As said by Christine Brennan, a CNN sports analyst, "We know that there's quite a history to it. Think of John McEnroe, think of Ilie Nastase, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi. These men all berated chair umpires, famously so. Commercials have been made. McEnroe has done 'You can't be serious' and all the other tirades top of his lungs over the years and none of them received a game penalty."

Poignantly said by the famous tennis player and activist in the world of tennis, Billie Jean King completely nails the issue right on its ugly head. King is a well-known advocate for gender equality and has long been a pioneer for social justice. In 1973 she beat the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match at only 29.

This battle to prove equality in a sport commercialized by its national headquarters, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), has been producing commercials throughout the entirety of the tournament, touting the equality of genders in an advertisement specifically aimed at young players. This marketing tactic has been the source of a series of commercials with titles such as, "Net Generation: Greatness is Waiting" which cuts between scenes of young boys and girls of mixed races playing the sport and saying quotes such as, "Just give me a racquet and watch me go."

Well, USTA, how can you commercialize a sport with children actors depicted as equals, yet allow behavior at the professional level which reduces this proposed value, and results in hypocrisy and disparity?

Mark Welsh Creative

Report this Content
Featured

How Technology Has Changed Our Lives

While we are all very dependant on technology, we are losing touch with humanity.

2618
How Technology Has Changed Our Lives

If we look back on how our ancestors lived we can sense a totally different lifestyle. If they could come back and live with all our technological devices they surely would think they are in a completely new alien world. They lived such a simple life without our devices that it seems as if centuries have passed by. In reality most of the discoveries were accomplished in the past twenty years. Indeed we have assisted a total technological distortion. This change in our lives was characterized by a myriad of technological innovations, due to globalization.

Keep Reading...Show less
Sports

Why I Love Football

Why Is Football A Sport That Is So Celebrated Across The Nation?

5887
College quarterback drops back to make pass as football season begins
https://pixabay.com/en/quarterback-american-football-sport-67701/

It is the time of year when the athletic event of football tends to exhilarate fans across the Nation. Why is football a sport that is so celebrated across the Nation? Many times I have asked myself why I even love the game of football so much, especially being a female, but I came up with a few of the many reasons why football fans love the game. though this may not be everyone's reasons for loving the game, here are some reasons that I love football.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Nostalgic Early 2000s Barbies: 34 Forgotten Treasures

For all the 90's babies and their obsession with Barbies.

30972
Barbies on a display case
LATimes

With Barbie mania overtaking society with the release of the new movie, here is some late 90's/early 2000's nostalgia for you in Barbie form.

It's sure to stir up old memories and unlock some good ones. And if you're feeling inspired by a particular toy but you don't remember where you put it, we've listed where you can find one today. You're welcome.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Riots and Protests rock Paris and other French cities

Crazy European Summer

1311
Riots and Protests rock Paris and other French cities
A 17 year old boy of North African origin was shot and killed by French police during a traffic stop on Tuesday. The police claimed they "feared for their lives" when the boy started driving away from them and opened fire, killing him.
Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

When DEI goes haywire

Shocking Revelation: Doctors Resort to Ethnicity-Based Prioritization in Medical Care

1561
When DEI goes haywire
In a shocking move in New Zealand, surgeons must now consider ethnicity in prioritizing patients for operations.
Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments