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In reply to the discussion: Billie Jean King: "Thank you Serena Williams for calling out double standard-More voices needed..." [View all]LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)You're welcome 😊
Someone on this very site compared Serena to Donald tRump. Called her a bully and said she was acting just like him. Yep, here on Democratic Underground. I'd compare Ann Coulter to tRump because for her whole existence, Coulter's been an ignorant, race-bating asshole just like tRump, yet SERENA'S like tRump?
Wonder why no one cared about Lleyton Hewitt's racist actions from the 2001 US Open? He made a racist ass of himself, but HE didn't get fined nor kicked out of the 2001 US Open tournament. The USTA said that what he said in accusing a black lines man of cheating for James Blake who he was playing, was not racist. Hewitt's a WHITE MALE, so he must have been telling the truth about what he said not being racist, right He never was given ANY punishment for his actions. I remember James Blake being praised for being a GOOD man for "taking the high road" and for "turning the other cheek" (Hewitt remained a total prick his whole career). Of course many people (Even some sports writers back then), were quick to say that some of the Williams Family's "actions" could be considered racist, and of course the match-fixing accusations were thrown in for good measure. I'm a 20 plus year Serena Williams fan (Have been following tennis since 1969), and while I wished she could have handled the situation better with Ramos, the Chair Umpire sure didn't handle the situation well himself. Pretty sure he wouldn't have interjected himself into a male player's championship match. Yes, Serena was being beaten by Osaka, but Serena was beating Jennifer Capriati in 2004's US Open until the chair umpire and lines people took over and cost HER that match. The USTA had to issue an apology to her because that match was officiated so horribly. I think Serena had that reaction back to 2004 during the Finals match because she's been accused of being a cheater for so long--accused of 'intimidating' or being 'brash' or even 'threatening' towards the other "gentle" women of the tour. And, how dare she win matches and championships over these last 2 decades with her serve. There are still the doping accusations But you know something, the truth is stranger than fiction because in reality, it was the WTA'S promoted as such "Face of tennis" and "It Girl," blonde and Russian" Maria Sharapova who was found to have been using Meldonium for well over 10 years. It was not banned when she was using it, but she forgot to read her email stating that this particular PED was put on the banned WTA banned list right around the time of the finals of the 2016 AO Open in January. When questioned as to why she was using this PED, she said that she needed the drug over a decade ago for her heart because heart problems run in her family. Then, she said she used it for diabetes which runs in her family. Odd though, because she's "evolved" into quite the Candy Mogul over the years. Yes, selling her "fine" candies and now "fine" chocolates to children all over the globe at the various tournaments in the WTA, and in various department stores. She's very lucky that her ban was shortened so that she could resume her tennis career. Odd thing though, and it's that she's really struggled on the tour post-Meldonium (Which is really good for faster physical recovery/endurance and stamina). She used to be known for playing in and winning a lot of 3-set matches. She's never been the best athlete, but at 31, she's always practiced well and kept herself in tip-top shape. I wonder WHAT could have happened to the 5-time singles slam and former "IT Girl" of the WTA to make her struggle so after returning from her ban and struggle so in winning matches 🤔
And speaking of James Blake again:
Yeah, he's lucky to have had a video of his arrest, or else the policeman might have said that he was guilty of something. We know how things can escalate into death be some policemen when you look a 'certain' way.
Oh yes, the WTA & ATP has been a mini-Peyton Place--full of accusations, denials, sexism and racism for a very long time--just like in normal, everyday world