An Australian sports commentator has been widely slammed for asking World number 1 Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard to twirl.
During a post-match interview, TV sports commentator Ian Cohen produced a controversial remark by asking both individuals to show off their outfits by giving it a twirl; opening up a can of controversy.
It all started out when Bouchard, who had just beaten Kiki Bertens with a 6-0, 6-3 victory in the second round match, was being interviewed by Chanel 7 tennis commentator Ian Cohen. Cohen then requested her to twirl and though she was visibly hesistant, Bouchard eventually did it.
The incident triggered an instant backslash on social media with the fans slamming Cohen for being sexist; claiming that a male player would never be asked to do the same.
In a press conference later, Bouchard added that the incident was very unexpected and it was funny for an old guy to ask someone to twirl.
“It was very unexpected. I mean, yeah, I don’t know. An old guy asking you to twirl, it was funny,” she said.
American world number one Serena Williams was also asked to do the same after her second round win over Vera Zvonareva and even she was very reluctant to do it. But she was certainly not happy about the request.
“A commentator asked me to twirl. I wouldn’t ask Rafa [Nadal] or Roger [Federer] to twirl. Whether it’s sexist or not, I don’t know. I can’t answer that,” Serena said.
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