Sexism Strikes on Wimbledon's Web Site

Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:19PM By Greg Couch (RSS feed)

Take a look at this report on the Maria Sharapova-Gisela Dulko match at Wimbledon Wednesday:

"As Sharapova and Dulko ran and stretched and lunged, most of the male spectators could not have cared less about their topspin forehands and would no more have recognised a western grip from a western movie -- this match was about hormones, pure and simple."

So there it is again. Is that what women's tennis is for, so men can leer at the players' bodies as they run and stretch and lunge on the court? Is women's tennis just soft porn?

Women's tennis is fighting a battle for credibility, and in some ways, it's the same battle women's sports have fought for years. But it has emerged again now at Wimbledon with the remarks of a former champion. And then this.

Darn media. You never know who writes this stuff anymore, right? Well, no.

This was the account on Wimbledon.org shortly after the match. The tournament's official Web site. The game story.

It starts by pointing out that Sharapova said she wasn't ready to win Wimbledon, and that she was right. She lost. And it said that we would have to look elsewhere for a champ. But ...

Trying to persuade any gentlemen of a red-blooded persuasion to look anywhere other than in Queen Shazza's direction is no easy task. Then again, if any woman has a chance of distracting the chaps for a moment, it is Miss Dulko.

"The 24-year-old from Buenos Aires has, in the past, been voted one of the sexiest players on the planet. And judging by the response in the press room, she is very likely to win any such contests in the future, too. According to the boys in the press room, Miss Dulko is really rather splendid.

I know there are plenty of guys out there watching women's tennis for all the beautiful women in short dresses. Of course. Plenty are watching for the tennis and noticing the women, too.

Reality is reality. And everyone knows that it is helping to sell women's tennis. But no way should the tournament's own site be promoting this image of women's sport, especially in its coverage of a match. Former men's champ Michael Stich said the other day, basically, that women's tennis needs to cut back on all the grunting, as it's not sexy, and women's tennis is just selling sex, anyway. And when someone asked Serena Williams about it, she said "Sex sells."

So women have to fight the same tired battle again for credibility. And then Wimbledon comes out with this on its site:

"For all that the ladies of the WTA Tour wish to be taken seriously as athletes, there are times when they are fighting a losing battle."

Well honestly, there is truth in that one. And in fairness, I found that story on the site mid-Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday night, it was gone, replaced with an actual account of the match by the same female writer.

Yes, female writer. That just makes this all the more surprising. But still, it is blatantly sexist, and it flies right in the face of the women's game and its ability to be taken seriously. And it's particularly bad considering this sport's history, this club's stiff reputation.

I mean, is that what Wimbledon thinks is happening here? Women bending and lunging in short skirts? How about tennis? I know, I know. Some of these players aren't wearing much, and do spend a lot of time worrying about their appearances. They have their own conflicts, trying to find a balance of appearance and athleticism.

Sharapova is on the cover of the current ESPN the Magazine, partly because of her sex appeal, partly for her tennis. In the magazine, she says she watched the game while she was out with a shoulder injury and thought, "Why do these girls wear so much makeup? I can't even figure out how they keep their eyeliner from running."

There is nothing wrong with trying to look good in public. But that match was not for hormones only. And at the very least, if that's all people are watching tennis for, then they shouldn't find it on the official Web site. Let them go somewhere else.

Like what you read here? Follow me on Twitter: @gregcouch

Sharapova Falters at Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns the ball to Gisela Dulko of Argentina during their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships, in London June 24, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT TENNIS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a return to Gisela Dulko of Argentina during their second round singles match at Wimbledon, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Princess Michael of Kent watch Maria Sharapova of Russia plays Gisela Dulko of Argentina in their second round singles match at Wimbledon, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Former Australian rugby union player Michael Lynagh (Centre) watches a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

British television entertainer Bruce Forsyth (Top L) and former Australian rugby union player Michael Lynagh (Bottom R) watch a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

British television entertainer Bruce Forsyth (L) watches a game between Russia's Maria Sharapova and Argentina's Gisela Dulko on Centre Court at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Argentina's Gisela Dulko plays against Russia's Maria Sharapova at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Russia's Maria Sharapova gestures as she plays against Argentina's Gisela Dulko at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Argentina's Gisela Dulko celebrates after beating Russia's Maria Sharapova at the All England Tennis Club on the third day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in southwest London, on June 24, 2009. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-24-2009 @ 11:04PM

mary said...

I am incredulous to read that Wimbledon's official site would carry such a crass report of what was in fact a marvelous display of athleticism from these two women. It's no big deal to me, as a female fan of the game, that the stars of women's tennis are treated like super- models - in fact it's far healthier to hold them up as an ideal of the female body than the "heroin chic" look of haute couture - but to minimize the athleticism required to reach that level in the sport is a travesty.

6-25-2009 @ 6:21AM

gonzo1 said...

not sexist ; S E X Y !!!!!!

6-25-2009 @ 9:53AM

lust-40notlove said...

No one can deny that some of these players realize that there is BIG money out there in endorsements and that some players not in the Top tier can still land lucrative deals if they show what God has blessed them with. Can you say anna kournikova? If the WTA wanted to put a stop to it, they simply ban the screaming and implement a more modest dress code. (bruce lee exhaled too when he threw strikes, but he did not scream and alert all of Asia) The truth is, women and in this case, the WTA know sex sells and will not discourage it b/c of the god of money! Our sex craved culture has led women to believe that the only way they can get the attention they crave, is to show skin, get cosmetically what they were not born with, and then strut it around for all to see.

6-25-2009 @ 9:59AM

jebjayman said...

Could the writer of this article find nothing worthwhile to write about? Why is he creating an issue?

6-26-2009 @ 3:00AM

Mark said...

jebjayman. Read the article again. It was a female who wrote the article on the Wimbledon website. Try reading everything before commenting about it.

6-25-2009 @ 8:22PM

mesaman said...

So do they want the paying customers or not. If anyone of you is trying to deny the obvious and thinks the players are unaware, look at their athletic attire. I agree with Mary who was incredulous with the whole gambit.

6-25-2009 @ 8:38PM

Abraxus said...

Yes, the women do dress to attract attention. Yes, they look athletic and sexy at the same time. Yes, some of them are very pretty. However, when you log into the Wimbledon website you expect REAL journalistic reporting of the game - the kind of play by play you read for a football game etc, not this National Enquirer type tripe. That is the issue here!

boredwell said...

That's not sexist that's the truth. How naive to think that women's sports don't have their fair share of horn dogs in the audience! Conversely, women fans have similar feelings when Federer, Nadel and Roddick take to the court. Wrestling, swimming, diving and gymnastics are a voyeurs' delight, too. Sports are titillating to some, just athletics to others.

6-25-2009 @ 8:39PM

keybest said...

Why all the fuss? Women should look like women. These ladies work hard to get the bodies they have and to maintain the fitness level needed to win at their sport. Men wouldn't be men if they didn't enjoy the show. Stop blaming men for not thinking and acting like women. There are two sexes, and I'm glad for the differences.

6-25-2009 @ 8:55PM

checkmoot said...

It says the story in question was written by a woman. If she gets that turned on by female athletes in short skirts it would seem to tell quite a bit about her sexual preference.

6-25-2009 @ 9:20PM

kpressler3365 said...

wow how did you ever ever guess that what we were all up too!?

6-25-2009 @ 9:29PM

Bob said...

Ummm...look no further than the death of the LPGA! Why? A bunch of Asian robots have taken over, not to mention the Mexican woman Ochoa. Not exactly pin up girls and non-English speakers as well. I prefer the women's game to the men's because of the volleying. But face it. Maria sells tickets and gets tv ratings. Her picture is my computer wallpaper and I am 52...and am not apologizing as I have sent it to my 18 year old nephew.

6-26-2009 @ 1:06AM

cestlaviex said...

FYI, Lorena Ochoa speaks English -- and quite well. Not only that, but she's one of the most charitable players in the game. Funds a school on her own for underprivileged kids in her hometown. It's not her fault that she's merely average looking.

6-25-2009 @ 9:30PM

S321Saint said...

My only complaint about women's tennis is that women get paid the same amount as the men even though women play fewer sets. I dont see how that is fair. Since feminists insist on "equality" then women should play best 3 of 5 sets instead of best 2 of 3. For equal pay of course. As for the women being sexy...I dont see any problem with that. The same women who complain about that, love watching the men's draw...As for me..I'll stick with the women.

6-25-2009 @ 10:23PM

robertpulaski said...

I recall about 60 years past an american woman played a Match at one of the major opens in lace panties. Her picture in those lace panties appeared in the sports section of the major news papers. I don't recall her last name, only that it srarted with a C ended with an I. I don't recall any endorcements, but she did marry Ralph Kinner, a great major league base ball player.

Bart

p.s. A few years later the panty raids started.

6-25-2009 @ 10:40PM

planarguy1 said...

Gisela Dulko is hot as hell, and Maria ain't ugly herself. So, normal red bloodied men like to look at them, and the Women tend to flaunt their looks, both for possible endorsement advantages, and maybe just because they like the attention.
I've heard female commentators go on and on about Nadals biceps, and Verdasco's male model looks, etc. If the athletes, both male and female, are not offended, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Gregg couch needs to get a life!

6-25-2009 @ 10:56PM

MrMisogynist said...

How many pro women tennis players does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to change the light-bulb, and another one to keep all the fans from looking up her bff's little short skirt. Oh please, give me a break. Women tennis players are trying to gain respect and be taken seriously, how? by wearing "hot pants" beneath their short skirts rather than "cotton panties." The men's game is about the "objective" optimum skill, precision, and performance of the game. The women's game is primarily about "sex appeal." And I watched the Sharapova V Dulko match. If Maria didn't grunt, I would have cheered for her to win, but with her vulgar grunting, (and her holier than thou arrogant attitude off the court), I'm glad Dulko (a non grunter PTL) defeated Sharapova. Grunting is for men and pigs, not for attractive young athletic women with enormous sex appeal. So stop your complaining and grunting, and wear some nice white cotton panties, and stop putting the tennis balls up your pant leg. I hate that.

6-25-2009 @ 11:15PM

jeffandcristi said...

You need to go to Sharipova's and Dulko's websites to see how they're positioning themselves before you start to be critical of the media reports favoring their physical attributes over their technical talents. And these aren't the only female tennis players (or female athletes, for that matter) positioning themselves as sexy first, talented second. Sex sells. It helps them get more sponsorship dollars, more match attendance from fans and greater awareness for peripheral opportunities (fragrances, clothing ranges, etc.). I'm not suggesting that it's right, only that you can't necessarily blame the media when the athletes themselves are perpetuating the issue.

6-26-2009 @ 12:42AM

Trinette said...

I like to see the woman who wrote this article...I know, I know, she probably not attractive and out of shape. I would bet my last dollar on that. These women are athletes. With the exception of Kournikova, most players have their minds on winning and not sex. These woman are on those courts working very hard. They really are hot. What should they wear..flannel? To make some jealous female feel better....oh, go workout.