Wimbledon started this week. I love tennis. I love ALL things tennis. But lately it seems that our tennis idols are getting more action OFF the court than on…
Serena
She’s pregnant… she’s gorgeous… she’s still taking heat.
Look at this Vanity Fair cover. Serena is just stunning. But of course some people (eye roll) still take issue. Because she’s a woman? Probably. Because she’s a woman of colour? I’d say most definitely. She’s got strength that we all should envy. Not only is she pregnant but STILL having to deal with the backlash of simply being her beautiful self.
Pregnant @serenawilliams Poses Nude for @VanityFair Cover https://t.co/cs2BeHjlmg ? @annieleibovitz @GettyImages @reuterspictures pic.twitter.com/FhDlSVbkgh
— NBC News Pictures (@NBCNewsPictures) June 29, 2017
More drama started for Serena on NPR when McEnroe, currently promoting his new book, “But Seriously,” made headlines by saying that Serena is the best female player in the world, but “if she played the men’s circuit she’d be like 700 in the world.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t think Serena is an incredible player,” McEnroe said. “I do, but the reality of what would happen would be I think something that perhaps it’d be a little higher, perhaps it’d be a little lower. And on a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she’s so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke ’cause she’s been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, The U.S. Open, etc. But if she had to just play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.”
Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017
I’ve never played anyone ranked “there” nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017
“Would you like to apologize?” — @NorahODonnell
“No.” — John McEnroe pic.twitter.com/BFN8w2EyfY— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 27, 2017
Kiss and Tell
Maxime Hamou was banished from the French Open after the French player kissed and cuddled a TV journalist following his first-round exit, the French tennis federation (FFT) said.
“The management of the tournament has decided to revoke Maxime Hamou’s accreditation following his reprehensible behaviour with a journalist yesterday,” the FFT said in statement.
Venus is getting heat
Venus started her Wimbledon journey exactly 20 years ago. She will be playing this tournament even with all the drama.
“I think I’ll do better as the years go along”
20 years ago today, Venus Williams began her #Wimbledon journey… pic.twitter.com/XdK2MACeSH
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2017
Poor Venus had an accident last month and now her name is plastered all over the media. My deepest condolences to the family and my prays are with Venus Williams .
Williams’ attorney said in a statement on Thursday that she expressed “her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.” The attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, says Williams had entered an intersection while the light was green and was going 5 mph when the other vehicle crashed into hers. Cunningham says Williams was not ticketed or charged.
The accident that claimed the life of the elderly passenger in the other car occurred when Venus stopped in the middle of an intersection waiting to cross and was hit by the elderly man’s wife as she went through the intersection. Although media reports are blaming Venus Williams for the accident and the manslaughter of the elderly man, police at the scene did NOT charge her with any crime.
Poor Venus broke down in tears Monday as she was asked questions about the horrible car wreck. My heart truly goes out to her.
