Serena Williams’ husband has copped a blistering attack for taking aim at the tennis superstar’s most shameless critic after her win on Tuesday night.
Williams bludgeoned her way into the Australian Open semi-finals with a sensational straight sets win over Simona Halep, showing off all the traits that have netted her 23 grand slam singles titles.
Alexis Ohanian — who co-founded popular online forum Reddit — was hyped up during his wife’s masterclass, regularly pumping his fists, shouting encouragement and getting up out of his seat to cheer her towards victory.
He also posted a blunt message on Twitter after the match. Referencing comments by former Romanian Olympic tennis star, tournament organiser and billionaire businessman Ion Tiriac, who said Williams should quit because of her age and weight, Ohanian wrote: “Good thing no one listens to that racist sexist (clown emoji) Ion Tiriac.”
“This is my wife. I have a platform. I have privilege. If I can use my platform + privilege to make a billionaire even a little uncomfortable about racist + sexist statements he’s made, it’s a win. Bonus is that other people will see it and reflect on it.”
Earlier this year Tiriac said of Williams: “At this age and the weight she is now, she does not move as easily as she did 15 years ago.
“Serena was a sensational player. If she had a little decency, she would retire.”
It wasn’t the first time Tiriac has attacked Williams. In 2018, when asked about the state of women’s tennis, Tiriac took a jab at the 23-time grand slam winner by saying: “With all due respect, 36 years old and 90kg …”
At the time, Williams hit back saying: “It’s an ignorant comment and it’s a sexist comment. Maybe he’s an ignorant man.”
But Tiriac’s son Alexandru didn’t take kindly to Ohanian’s insult on Tuesday night, and penned an open letter to the tech guru in which he launched a stinging rebuttal.
“To Mrs Williams’ husband, I read your tweet with a mix of disbelief and disgust,” Alexandru wrote.
“The name Tiriac has a 70-year tradition in the world of sports and the gentleman you are referring to has written a few important chapters that have contributed to the book of tennis along these decades.
“From the player, to the coach, to the manager, to the tournament promoter, the respected person you are bad wording in these derogatory terms has (been) and still is, at the age of 82, one of the strongest advocates of this sport.
“The respect he has (Ion Tiriac) for Mrs. Williams is tremendous, as it should be.”
Alexandru then made the incredible claim Williams will only be considered among the top two dozen players to have ever graced a tennis court — when many consider her a frontrunner in the sport’s Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) debate.
The American is one major victory away from equalling Margaret Court’s record for most major grand slam singles titles in history — and Ohanian certainly believes she has earnt GOAT status.
In Williams’ player’s box during her win over Halep, Ohanian rocked a T-shirt that said “Greatest Female Athlete”, with “Female” crossed out.
Clearly, Alexandru Tiriac doesn’t share that view.
“She is and will remain in history as one of the best 20-25 players who have highly contributed to this sport,” he said.
“She has a personality that has opened many doors for young generations of athletes, in all fields of sports and in all social walks of life. For that, we are very grateful to her.
“Mr Williams, the only reason I reply to your unnecessary tweet is that words are misused and misinterpreted in today’s world through the various platforms in existence.
“Free speech should not be wrongly replaced with inappropriate slander.
“As Mrs Williams’ husband, you can no longer only represent your own views when you talk about sports, but also the voice of an icon.
“It would be a real shame to cast an erroneous image on her legacy through emotional baseless tweets.”
