Shamil Tarpischev, Russian Tennis Federation Head, Fined For Referring To Serena, Venus As ‘Williams Brothers’

Shamil Tarpischev, the Russian Tennis Federation president, was fined $25,000 and was banned from any involvement in the women’s tour for a year, as punishment for referring to Serena and Venus Williams as the “Williams brothers” on a television show.

Stacy Allaster, the chief executive of Women's Tennis Association, said that the comments were "insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place on our sport,” according to the BBC.

Tarpischev had reportedly appeared on Russian late night show "Evening Urgant" with former player Elena Dementieva last week when he made the statements. The comments were a reaction to Dementieva’s question of how it felt for Tarpischev, playing next to the sisters.

“It's frightening when you look at them. But really you just need to play against the ball," Tarpischev said, according ESPN and had referred to them several times as the “Williams Brothers.”

Allaster, said in a statement on the comments, according to ESPN: “Mr. Tarpischev's statements questioning their genders tarnish our great game and two of our champions," adding: "His derogatory remarks deserve to be condemned and he will be sanctioned.''

Dave Haggerty, the president and chairman of the U.S. Tennis Association, also called for a formal apology from him, for the comments made.

"As the president of the Russian Tennis Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Tarpischev is expected to conduct himself with the highest degree of integrity and sportsmanship,'' Haggerty said in a statement, according to ESPN, adding: "Unfortunately, his comments do not embody either of these traits and in fact were reprehensible.''