That question to Serena Williams
In one of the more bizarre incidents to occur this year, Serena Williams was asked if she was intimidated by Maria Sharapova’s ‘good looks.’ That alone wasn’t the problem. It was the monologue of what the reporter said leading up to Williams’ answer.
“I know you want to get back to Olympia, work with me here, please. We’re in this together, baby.” The reporter began.
“I have been waiting about 14 years to ask you this question.
“After the 2004 Wimbledon match with Maria, I had the opportunity to interview Donald Trump on his LA golf course, and he said that Maria’s shoulders were incredibly alluring and then he came up with his incredible analysis: that you were intimidated by her supermodel good looks. “My question is: have you ever been intimidated by anyone on a tennis court, and what are your thoughts about that occurrence?”
The random questioned prompted an understandable muted response from the 23-time grand slam champion. Who said that she ‘don’t have any thoughts about that.’ It is safe to safe that it was the first time Williams was asked a question which included Donald Trump and Sharapova in the same sentence.
Following the incident, Bill Simons apologised for his question. Simons is the editor of Inside Tennis Magazine.
I apologize if my awkward ques seemed 2 empower Trump or attack Serena/I SO admire her/I've spent lifetime fighting racism/sexism/homophobia.Started campaign 2 name US Open Stad 4 Ashe/Lobbied long 2 get Serena 2 return to I. Wells/Called out police violence vs Blake/I'm so sorry
— INSIDE TENNIS (@BillSimons1) June 4, 2018
