WATCH: “Neither her nor her sister have any class” – Venus Williams faces the wrath of fans for ignoring customary handshake with the chair umpire after dispute over controversial match point call
Fans berate the American player for her classless behavior before umpire in spite of receiving help during her fall
Follow Us
Venus Williams (Image via: Getty Images)
The first-round match between Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina at the 2023 Wimbledon left tennis fans with mixed emotions. In a rather eventful match, Venus’ post-match behavior drew sharp criticism from spectators and ignited a debate on sportsmanship.
On match point for Svitolina, she hit a deep forehand return that was initially called out by a line judge. Williams, thinking she had won the point, parried the ball down into the grass. However, Svitolina challenged the call, and Hawk-Eye technology confirmed that the ball had indeed caught the line.
To the astonishment of both players and the crowd, the chair umpire declared, “Game, set, match, Svitolina.” As expected, the decision left Williams visibly shocked and disappointed, as she believed she should have been granted a replay of the point. Nonetheless, her behavior towards the umpire at the end drew the ire of tennis fans.
Upon realizing that the match was over, Williams shook hands with a stunned-looking Svitolina. However, rather than shaking hands with the chair umpire as is customary, Williams gave a wry smile and walked past her, shaking her head in apparent disagreement.
Fans took to Twitter to express their anger at Williams’ classless behavior
Tennis fans took to social media to express their disappointment with Williams’ behavior. Some criticized her for lacking class, respect, and grace, highlighting her refusal to shake the umpire’s hand. Some pointed out that Venus’ actions are particularly distasteful after receiving help from the umpire during her slip at the net at an early stage of the game.
Sharing a wide spectrum of reactions online, here’s what fans have to say:
Reflecting on the slip that led to her injury, Williams acknowledged that the grass courts of Wimbledon are inherently slippery and that falls are bound to happen. She considered her slip to be a stroke of bad luck that hindered her performance. Despite the setback, she remained resolute, stating, “I started the match perfectly. I was literally killing it, then I got killed by the grass.”
Williams will surely be disappointed with her performance in her favorite Major. However, in the words of the American legend herself, this is far from the end of her career. She now looks forward to competing in the upcoming US Open. Some even speculated that it could be the last of her illustrious career.
In case you missed it:
- Venus Williams does not have a “wild” chance anymore at Wimbledon
- Victoria Azarenka shuts down a journalist for calling her a Russian following her round one win at Wimbledon 2023
Stay Updated!
Ketan Kunkalikar
(129 Articles Published)