Tennis Today: Serena Williams cartoon stirs outrage, but paper sticks to its guns

In Tennis Today, the Serena Williams cartoon and her US Open final behaviour continue to dominate the news.
What’s on the site
Novak Djokovic would probably have won a few more Grand Slams if he didn’t play in the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal era, but the 14-time major winner says the two actually pushed him to greater things.
While the ATP Tour is waiting on the #NextGen to step up at the majors, the WTA Tour has no such problems as their conveyor belt continues to churn out different Grand Slam winners.
Greg Rusedski has had his say on Serena Williams’ sexism claims and he is not happy with the American.
Meanwhile in Quebec City, top seed Aryna Sabalenka was stunned in the first round.
What’s in the news
We start off with the Herald Sun, who has defended Mark Knight’s controversial cartoon of Serena Williams by reprinting the drawing under the headline “Welcome to PC world”.
Knight told the Herald Sun: “The cartoon was just about Serena on the day having a tantrum.
“A few days beforehand I had actually drawn a cartoon of Australian Nick Kyrgios and his bad behaviour at the US Open, so I’m not targeting [Williams]. Serena is a champion.”
Damon Johnston, the Herald Sun editor, said the cartoon “rightly mocks poor behaviour by a tennis legend” adding that “Mr Knight has the full support of everyone [at the paper].”
And here is Knight defending his cartoon 9News.
The Guardian says the cartoon has sparked a “global furore”.
In The Telegraph, Allison Pearson says the American “is not just a bad loser – her dominance of tennis is over”. (Subscription)
The Sun’s Jane Moore calls “Serena Williams’ ‘fight for women’s rights’ at the US Open is actually just petulant posturing”
We really don’t know what this has to do with Patrick Mouratoglou’s coaching during the US Open final, but the Daily Mail says “Serena’s coach enjoyed a night out in Manhattan with celebs including Cara Delevingne and Cuba Gooding Jr just hours before he ‘coached’ her”.
Meanwhile, The Independent reports that “US Open organisers to review communication policies in wake of Serena Williams umpire controversy”.
Away from the Serena Williams row, The Telegraph’s Charlie Eccleshare says we should “be wary of declaring Novak Djokovic a ‘GOAT contender’ just yet – only a few months ago he was ‘finished'”. (Subscription).
Now for something different from Press Association Sport, via the Bournemouth Echo, Tim Henman fears slow courts are making game less exciting.
What’s on social media
Who is the strongest player on the ATP Tour?
Tennis TV also has a nice compilation of Funniest ATP Doubles Moments and Fails.
Your WTA Tour’s Shot of the Month finalists.
What’s on TV
ATP
It is Davis Cup week on the ATP Tour with matches only starting Friday September 14.
WTA: Japan Open
04:30-10:30 (Wednesday)
LIVE – BT Sport1
04:30-10:30 (Thursday)
LIVE – BT Sport1
Latest
-
Tennis News
ITF World Tennis Tour – meet the stars before they are famous
ITF World Tennis Tour, Andrew Moss, sits down for an exclusive interview with Tennis365.
-
French Open
WTA Rankings: Iga Swiatek’s No 1 status on the line at Roland Garros
Aryna Sabalenka, who is ranked No 2, or current No 1 Iga Swiatek will leave Paris with the top spot.
-
Tennis News
GOAT race complicated by injuries and absences for Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic would have wanted Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros this year.
-
ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie looking likely in the Lyon Open after downing Sebastian Baez
Cameron Norrie extends his Lyon open winning streak to six matches.
-
French Open
Are Novak Djokovic’s French Open hopes dependant on the weather?
Becker believes that Djokovic will be praying for sunny days in Paris.
-
French Open
British hopes battered as another player withdraws from French Open injured
Britain has lost another French Open entrant.
-
ATP Tour
Battle for world No 1 ranking: Assessing Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic’s chances
Who will be world No 1 after the French Open?
-
French Open
2023 French Open draw: Bad news for Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev will be smiling after that draw.
-
French Open
2023 French Open draw: Iga Swiatek lands nightmare draw in Paris
That is one tough draw for Iga Swiatek.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas among star names set for return of Boodles tennis event
The Boodles tennis event is returning to the stunning Stoke Park estate next month and Stefanos Tsitsipas has confirmed he will play.