‘I Wouldn’t Ask Rafa or Roger’ – Serena Williams Once Openly Reacted to a Bizarre Commentator Request

Serena Williams is making a return to tennis after a long hiatus of almost one year. She last played in Wimbledon 2021, where she retired mid-way because of a hamstring injury. Since then, the 40-year-old is way away from the game. Although she kept hinting at her return while interacting with fans, it surprised everyone when she announced a wildcard entry to the grass-court Grand Slam.

Serena is known for speaking her heart out. She never shies away from giving her opinion on any topic. Back in 2015, in a shocking turn of events, an interviewer asked female tennis players Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard to twirl to show off their outfits. Because of the incident, the organizers received a huge backlash and criticism from the fans. Later, the former world number 1 reacted to the incident.

Serena Williams on being asked to twirl

Reacting to the incident, Serena refrained from terming it as sexist. But the former world number one hinted that they would never ask a male athlete to do the same.

“A commentator asked me to twirl. I wouldn’t ask Rafa or Roger to twirl. Whether it’s sexist or not, I don’t know. I can’t answer that,” she said.

Further, she expressed her displeasure with the incident but brushed it off as not something very important to discuss. “I didn’t really want to twirl because I was just like, you know, I don’t need all the extra attention. But, yeah, it was fine. I don’t think and look that deep into it. Life is far too short to focus on that,” she added.

Serena to start her Wimbledon campaign today

Returning after a long gap, the former world number 1 will begin her Wimbledon campaign today. She will face 24-year-old Harmony Tan from France. Comparing both, clearly, there are a few in the game who can match Serena at her best, but returning after a long gap and aged over 40 now we can say nothing about her form.

On the other hand, the 24-year-old is playing her first Wimbledon championship. Previously, she has reached the round of 64 in Australia and the French Open. In the US Open, she made it to the first round.

Watch this story: Serena Williams reacts as Caroline Wozniacki announces happy news 

It will be a good contest between youth and experience. We hope for an entertaining clash.