Tennis Today: Serena Williams and Venus Williams at centre of fresh racism storm

In Tennis Today, Australia, fresh from the cartoon controversy, desperately tries to make Serena Williams even more racially victimised.
What’s on the site
Well, first of all there was there totally depressing yet entirely predictable news that Rafael Nadal will miss some tournaments due to the injury that forced him out of the US Open.
And then Maria Sharapova has gone and confounded it by announcing she will miss the rest of the season with injury, although we would like to urge anyone making assumptions about an impending retirement for the Russian to reconsider.
Sticking with the theme of people who won’t be around for a while, Mohamed Lahyani, the umpire at the centre of the Nick Kyrgios US Open row has been suspended.
In happier news, though, life is freaking awesome right now if your Frances Tiafoe, and here’s why.
What’s in the news
If there is one country you can probably rely on to uphold the ‘hold my beer’ modern culture, then it’s definitely Australia.
For those maybe unfamiliar, ‘hold my beer’ is a social media trend. Essentially, when someone does something stupid or antagonistic, someone urges audience to ‘hold my beer’while they better it.
As an example… Serena Williams goes on the biggest stage and says she is the victim of discrimination. Australian cartoonist: “hold my beer”.
Not to be outdone, though, here is a fresh example…
Australian cartoonist causes a Serena Williams racism storm: Australian-Rules Football team: “hold our beers”.
Outrage as Tasmanian football players dress in Serena Williams blackface https://t.co/KNp1Ls3ycK pic.twitter.com/BY5UwOZscc
— SBS News (@SBSNews) 19 September 2018
So, members of an Australian Rules Football team ‘blacked up’ to dress as Venus and Serena Williams for an end-of-season party they call ‘Mad Monday’, with the club even posting an image of them on its own social media accounts.
The social media posts have since been removed, and The Penguins have issues the following statement:
“The Penguin Football Club were not aware that three of our players intended to dress in this manner and the incident did not happen at our facilities. Around sixteen of our players had hired a bus and travelled to Rocky Cape Tavern to hold their end of year celebrations.
“The Penguin Football Club would like it acknowledged that it is unacceptable in this day and age that three players would consider dressing for a Mad Monday as they did.
“It was not their intention to upset anyone and all they meant to do was dress as one of their sporting idols.
“Their actions were never intended to be racist in any way.
“Those concerned have been reprimanded and will be given support to make sure they understand that their behaviour was racist and hurtful and that it will not happen again.
“The club will certainly be supporting our players through this unfortunate incident.
“The players concerned have acknowledged that what they did was completely and utterly unacceptable and would like to apologise unreservedly for their lack of judgement.”
What’s on social media
Tomas Berdych auditions for Bond.
Mouratoglou makes a funny…
I’m not sure Serena would agree…
View this post on Instagram
Sometimes you have to blow off steam in order to start playing better 😆 @aratayamaoka 📸
And a big congratulations from Tennis365 to the Isner family.
What’s on TV
ATP
Sky is broadcasting the Laver Cup this week with coverage starting on Friday September 21.
WTA Pan Pacific Open
04:00-12:30 (Thursday and Friday)
LIVE – BT Sport1
WTA Korea Open
05:00-11:00 (Thursday and Friday)
LIVE – BT Sport2
WTA Guangzhou Open
08:00-18:00 (Thursday and Friday)
LIVE – BT Sport3
Latest
-
French Open
French Open 2023: Who is playing on the show courts on Sunday 28 May
Check out who will be in action on the show courts on Sunday 28 May.
-
French Open
WATCH: Arthur Fils becomes youngest titlist of 2023 with Lyon Open triumph
Arthur Fils became the youngest and lowest-ranked champion of the season in Lyon.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on ‘crazy’ top seeding at French Open
Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed in a Grand Slam for the first time at the age of just 20.
-
French Open
Coco Gauff hopes returning to Paris can help her find her groove
The 19-year-old reached her first grand slam singles final here last year.
-
French Open
Young duo could challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic versus the youth brigade appears to be how the French Open is shaping up.
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek backed to win third French Open in two weeks
John McEnroe believes that it is hard to look past Iga Swiatek as the favourite for the women’s singles title.
-
French Open
Former champion names seven men who could win Roland Garros
Former French Open winner Mats Wilander has picked out seven men who he feels have a shot at Grand Slam glory in Paris.
-
French Open
Taylor Fritz makes Carlos Alcaraz claim in exclusive Tennis365 interview
Top ten player Taylor Fritz opens up on Alcaraz, the GOAT debate, what tennis needs to do to improve and so much more
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal’s French Open clothing is revealed… but he may never wear it
Nike has revealed what Rafael Nadal would have been wearing at the French Open.
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu set for fresh rankings blow amid uncertainty over her future
Jodie Burrage could be set to knock Emma Raducanu off her pedestal as the British No 1 over the course of the grass court season.