The New York Times on Saturday came under fire on Twitter for a tone-deaf article that essentially condemns the physique of tennis star Serena Williams. The article presents the views of top female tennis players, who, ahem, refuse to look like Williams—who will be vying for the Wimbledon title against Garbiñe Muguruza on Saturday.
Despite Williams’ success (a win Saturday would give her 21 grand-slam singles titles and her fourth in a row), the Times says, body-image issues among female tennis players persist, forcing many players to avoid bulking up.
Williams “has large biceps and a mold-breaking muscular frame, which packs the power and athleticism that have dominated women’s tennis for years. Her rivals could try to emulate her physique, but most of them choose not to,” the report says.
Tomasz Wiktorowski, the coach of Agnieszka Radwanska, who is listed at 5 feet 8 and 123 pounds, says, “It’s our decision to keep her as the smallest player in the top 10. Because, first of all she’s a woman, and she wants to be a woman.”
Really?
Well, this is what Twitter had to say about the story:
https://twitter.com/rodimusprime/status/619719732300771328https://twitter.com/angela_rye/status/619689354697400320https://twitter.com/angela_rye/status/619691445876752384