NEW YORK -- Melanie Oudin is a blonde white kid from the Deep South who grew up playing a traditional country club sport, idolizing two black women from Compton.The Oudin phenomenon has hit this past week at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, and her path is mingling with the paths of Venus and Serena Williams, her heroes, at the biggest tennis stadium in the world, named after Arthur Ashe.
If we get the match that we seem headed for, Serena Williams against Oudin Saturday in the final, it could be a monumental moment for tennis, a celebration about cultural and societal advancements.
This is to lay down the gauntlet to tennis fans, Oudin fans, Williams fans, to make sure that this is a great moment, and not the opposite with hard feelings, racial tensions and bitterness.
Here, bluntly, is the concern: How much of Oudin's sudden popularity is that she's the Great White Hope?
She is already being portrayed as the All-American girl. The Williams sisters, despite all they've done, never seem to be fully looked at that way.
I can sit here and pretend that this stuff is all in the past. But even today, the Williams sisters will not play a tournament in Indian Wells, California, boycotting because their family said it heard racist comments from fans in the stands.
I'm not trying to stir anything up here. Instead, it's quite the opposite.
I could sense the vibe the other day when Venus lost to Kim Clijsters. Here was Venus on her home court, her home turf. But the crowd was pulling for Clijsters, who's from Belgium, despite having little vested in her.
Richard Williams, the sisters' father, has never been accepted.
Every column I write about women's tennis, it seems, ends up with comments or emails from readers that turn the discussion to race, and oftentimes devolving into something ugly for or against the sisters.
And it's an open secret in tennis that Serena Williams fans resent Maria Sharapova, with the feeling that much of her popularity and huge endorsement dollars come from fitting the white ideal, tall, thin and blonde.
She's a giant Barbie Doll. Serena, the world's best player, is not.
I mentioned this to two USTA officials the other day, and both just nodded.
I haven't seen any hard evidence of problems with the racial dynamic between Oudin and the Williams sisters. But this is the stuff churning under the surface.
This is a chance for a sport without the best record on race and inclusion to really make a grand statement, if willing.
I suspect that if Williams plays Oudin, the crowd will be strongly for Oudin. If she gets an early lead, it will sound like a home crowd watching its team winning in the World Series.
Melanie Oudin Photos
Melanie Oudin of the United States stands with her boyfriend Austin Smith following her practice session for the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States signs autographs following her training session for the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States jokes with tennis coach Frank Salazar during her practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States returns a shot during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States returns a shot during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States wears her signature shoes during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Melanie Oudin of the United States listens to her coach Brian de Villiers during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States listens to her coach Brian de Villiers during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Spectators watch as Melanie Oudin of the United States runs laps around a tennis court during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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Melanie Oudin of the United States shakes hands with former tennis player John McEnroe during a practice session for the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Oudin will play Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the women's quarterfinals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
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And how would Williams fans interpret that support for Oudin?
There are so many things tied up in this Oudin phenomenon.
At 17, she has taken over the U.S. Open because she's the classic underdog, a cute, young girl from small-town America -- Marietta, Georgia -- emerging to out-bulldog the game's top players. And at 5-foot-6, she keeps chopping down one large, powerful Russian player after another.
I wonder how many people, tired of the Williams sisters, have been waiting for a player like Oudin, the next Tracy Austin or Chris Evert.
And how many feel the Williams sisters have never been able to stop fighting the same battles, and aren't going to be happy seeing Oudin getting the attention.
"Hasn't really affected me," Oudin said, when asked about a perception that she's here to replace the Williams sisters. "I told you before, I don't really pay attention to what other people say. I think that it's really cool to be called the third-best American behind the Williams sisters.
"That's just incredible, since I've watched them since I was a little girl. They've been like my idols. I'm really proud of that, to be the third-best American."
The third-best American woman tennis player. For years, that would have sounded like a joke. Third fastest in a race of two.
This is turf the Williams sisters have been burdened with for years, being the only faces and voices of American tennis. They are the leaders.
Now, there's a new face. Is that going to be OK?
Oudin is not to the level of the Williams sisters yet, anyway. She hasn't paid the dues, has never had anyone dislike her, didn't have to fight an establishment. I don't think she would be any match for Serena in a final.
Her mom looks like a typical tennis mom, fit, thin and blonde. And contrast that to how people see Richard Williams.
Ten days ago, no one knew who Oudin was. Now, already her agent told The New York Times that the phone keeps ringing.
"All the apparel manufacturers and racquet manufacturers," agent Sam Duvall said, "want the next best American."
How much does race factor into that?
It was clear when Sharapova was the new face, Serena Williams fans did not like it. If I write anything positive about Sharapova, even without mentioning the sisters, I'm hit with letters from angry Serena fans.
To me, Oudin is a fresh face, bringing art back to the game. She's tough as nails and a big surprise. Meanwhile, Venus is the ideal spokesperson for the game, elegant and eloquent. And while I don't think Serena has lived fully up to her potential, that's only because the bar is so high for her. Regardless, she means so much to the game and is an all-time great.
Venus said she wishes Oudin luck. Serena said she will be great. Oudin has said that when she was 10 or 11, she went to the Open as a fan to see the Williams sisters play.
They have not spoken to each other.
When asked how she felt about Oudin idolizing Williams when she was growing up, Serena said, "Yeah, I don't think about it. I feel like I'm super young and they might have been watching someone else."
This is going to be interesting, especially if Saturday comes with the big matchup. It could be a special, important and harmonious moment. Here's to hoping that people will be cheering for something, and not against.
Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 16)
9-08-2009 @ 9:49PM
melbo2002 said...
Out of all that, you had to say something like that .I bet you think your smarter than all blacks?Stupid statements like that should'nt even be said.This was about making a racial issue out of the tournament between them.People judge and thats the problem.I'm glad that a 17yr old is beating the old and showing she is a good enough to even compete with top players REGUARDLESS OF RACE.People make these issues wit retarded statements when theres whites who can beat blacks in physical sports and competing,just as theres ignornat whites who are less intelligent than some blacks.GROW UP
9-08-2009 @ 7:28PM
Ron said...
I don't know how people in the media write things like this and expect to be taken seriously. The America I live in has been one where the people have loved and hated thier sports hero's for decades. While the stories of these sports heros make interesting reading you can't possably think that it is the defining reason the fans respond to them the way that they do. If we are talking about the vast majority of Americans today, race has nothing to do with the way they feel when a sports story like this occurs. It doesn't matter where Oudin comes from or what race she is. What Americans respond to is her youth and the fact that it's such an exciting dream come true story that is easy to see in the faces and expressions of the person involved. It doesn't matter weather it's a young ebony teen beaming that big smile or a southern bell with pig-tails Americans are going to respond with a fondness towards that young person accomplishing what ever it is that makes her the story. People in the media that have the need to write something that noone else is writing in hopes of getting published are not doing anything good for any body but themselves if it gets them published. I personnally think Serena is great and her matches interest me, a non tennis fan. If I find myself watching the match you elude to in your article I'm not going to be a bit surprised to find myself excited to see the youngster win, but I also enjoyed watching Tiger lose to a Korean player a few weeks ago and I can honestly say that my enjoyment in watching these sporting events had nothing to do with race. In conclusion I will admit to watching some sporting events in which I feel prejudice. That would be when an athelete is representing the USA and competeing against one of the other Nations of the world.
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9-08-2009 @ 7:58PM
mary said...
Oh, I agree with every word of your comment Ron.
9-08-2009 @ 10:30PM
bunnie865 said...
WELL said. You know what fuels racial tension? Out-of-left-field articles like this. No, I'm sorry, not fuels, since there is nothing left to fuel. Kindles.
9-08-2009 @ 10:40PM
jake008 said...
...nuff said!
This Greg Couch is an idiot who, like a dictator in a 3rd world country, must keep one group down in order to have a reason for his own existance.
He is self serving.
If you surveyed 1000 Americans, I don't believe 2 of them were thinking a possible meeting between Serena and Oudin would have racial tensions. They are both Americans, whom all of us are proud of....regardless of the color of their skin. Richard Williams has not been included in the "tennis circle" because why?...
What tennis father/coach has had more attention? He might not be included in ALL the tennis inside circle "happenings" because he is a bit weird...NOT because his skin happens to be black!
I think this Couch guy is even a BIGGER IDIOT for confronting Oudin about HIS racist ideas. Oudin is a professional tennis player...don't screw with her head, especially when she is in the middle of breaking into the Big Time! What do you want? Do you want to distract her? Why are YOU stirring up something that people are NOT even thinking about? What is your objective with the stupid comments you have made?
FYI...I believe if you compare endorsements, contracts, and income....the William Sisters have done better (earned more) than any other #1 women players before them.
Do you rember Anna Kornikova? What was her highest ranking? She got endorsements because she was sexy! Uhm....does that make me a racist? Does that make the people who offered her endorsement deals racists, too?
YOU have a hangup about race....get some help. But please...do NOT try to throw your problem onto a 17 year old phenom who we are all thrilled to see winning!
All your ridiculous arguments have holes big enough to drive a truck through.
People (not white or black) love to see great tennis! We love to see great YOUNG tennis players rise up to the challenge! We loved it when the Williams sisters did it...and we are loving it now to see Oudin do it (regardless of her skin color)!
Quit stirring up crap that only exists in week people's minds (yours and a sad handful of others).
Tired of seeing opressors like you getting a forum to spew your selfserving FILTH.
God Bless you.
I pray he instills wisdom in you.
kj
9-08-2009 @ 10:58PM
Andrew said...
agreed..why even write this?? idiot..we're all americans
9-08-2009 @ 11:20PM
hawktheman said...
Thank you Ron. I love Serena, Venus (wish she would win more), and love Melanie. She's naive, cherubic, and a fighter that most americans who are not blessed with natural ability can relate to, a true little engine that could, who believes...What's great about this little white girl is that she is not the beauty or bodacious bod of a Sharapova, she's flat chested, cute, not glamorous or breathless like the young Servian Ana Ivanovic. For that matter, I love Sharapova because she never went the route of a Kornikova and tried to be oversexed at 17-20. Even today, Sharapova is about the game as all of these young women are. Men have to realize their paradigms have changed. We are probably fighting sexism here (we want all of our women atheletes to be Kornikova or Gabriella Sabittini sexpots) more than racism. If the dream scenario plays out let's hope a tender moment at the net breaks out and the two embrace and pop out american flags.
9-08-2009 @ 11:50PM
alexmaciass said...
God bless people like you, Ron. The reality of the matter is that America has been racialy divided from day one. Open your eyes; you appear to be a smart person. You need to admit to yourself that racial prejudice and hatred will be with us for a long time. Thanks for your comments.
9-09-2009 @ 1:08AM
yaegerjr said...
I was angered by the article and wanted to reply but Ron said it all for me. Bravo. Couch should get a life!!
9-09-2009 @ 1:21AM
Sieben said...
The only thing I can say is WOW,your certainly entitled to your opinion. With all the William sister have done foe american and they still arent excepted as america,s CHAMPIONS, makes you WONDER
9-09-2009 @ 1:22AM
jeremy said...
Excellent response however the article examined the existence of racial bias as it affects fan preference. You examined only yourself and then extrapolated to the public at large. You (that is, your entire sample of viewers) are only a testament of one unbiased, individual, viewer and therefore not proof that the phenomenon does not exist. I hope you continue to stay above the fray...
9-09-2009 @ 4:50AM
drit891315 said...
Tiger was representing the United States1..How in the world could you root against him unless you really are biased and won't admit it.
9-09-2009 @ 6:35AM
Michael D. said...
I agree... it seems the only one seeing this as a race issue is the idiot that wrote the article. sounds to me like some "classes" are in order.
9-08-2009 @ 7:44PM
dhender499 said...
My hat is off to Couch. Easily the best tennis article of his that I've read. Race is the dirty little secret that America likes to sweep under the rug. A Black president who gets 30 death threats each day. Many using the N word. Venus and Serena, who should be national treasures for saving American women’s tennis. Yet, they are much maligned, principally because of their color. I saw the same thing with Zina Garrison. Though she was a better player than most of her white contemporaries, they got the megabucks because they were white.
You think I am too radical? Well, let me tell you about a conversation I had with the late Arthur Ashe a few months before he died. He placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the USTA for not developing Black players. Yes, the same man whom the USTA named the stadium after. Want to know something else? Are you scared of contracting AIDS? Well, Arthur told me that being Black was more problematic than having AIDS. My jaw dropped. “Come on, Arthur, you can’t be serious.” He then went on to tell me that with AIDS, one in seven days was bad. Apart from this, he could function like a normal human being. However, every day, in this society, everywhere he went, he was reminded that he was Black. He would walk into a store, and security would follow him around.
When Donald Dell heard Arthur’s remark about being Black being more difficult than having AIDS, he called him from Europe in the middle of the night and woke him up. Surely, you must have been misquoted. Arthur assured him he wasn’t. To this day, I don’t think Donald understands. Even as close as he was to Arthur. But I understood.
So, here we are in 2009. Oudin has become the darling of American tennis. She has become the Queen of Queens. I have been vigorously cheering her on her magical play. If she were to face Serena, the American public will decisively be behind the 17 year-old Georgian. I won’t be among them. Sure I’ll be in the minority (pun intended). But I don’t give a damn. But, America, don’t fool yourself. You are rooting for Oudin partly because you are sick of the Williams sisters dominating American tennis, which had been virtually lily-white. That’s fine. Just don’t mask it behind fallacious reasoning. In this age of political correctness, be politically incorrect by telling the truth. You don’t want that Black girl to win.
So, kudos to you, Couch, for having the strength to force others to confront the demons they seek to escape.
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9-08-2009 @ 8:19PM
dannybsstuff said...
The Stadium that should have John McEnroe's name on it?
9-08-2009 @ 8:47PM
fount306 said...
I didn't know Greg Couch from Lindsay Davenport (you're too young if you don't get that), so after reading this article I hoped that I would find out he was Black. Yes, I looked at the author and thought, "Hmmm. I wonder if Greg is Black?" I wondered because I had thought it would be interesting to see how many people would jump on the race bandwagon to declare Mr. Couch a racist. Then I saw his picture. He looks White to me. I wondered how many people would continue to deny that the Williams sisters have never really been the tennis heart throbs that a Chris Evert or Tracy Austin might have been. Seriously, people -- is anyone going to deny that tennis has as many racist ghosts in the closet as does golf? Please.
I'm not a fan of the Williams sisters, and that's almost entirely because of their father. That, and, well, Serena just seems to have a superhuman body. I always root for the little guy, or the up-and-comer, or the scrappiest of athletes. Regardless of race. And especially if they are American.
So there is no doubt that if Oudin was Black, the fans would very much still be behind her. Who would NOT root for a 17-year old against one of the most dominant athletes of our time? But tell me (not those of you who had more than 20 grammatical and/or spelling mistakes in your postings) -- how can you find any other explanation for an American crowd that is rooting for Kim Clijsters? Shame on you.
9-08-2009 @ 9:38PM
Jenn said...
This is the first time I have ever even thought about race being an issue with the Venus sisters. I can see perfectly well, and definitely knew that they have darker skin than I do. But, I never thought about them being 'black' and playing tennis. I paid attention to the fact that they have tremendous self esteem, and that they are absolutely beautiful women that are chasing their dreams.....and winning. Why does race have to come up at all? I understand that to overcome it we need to talk about it....but honestly, it is exciting to see a new kid on the scene, no matter what race she is. Racial tensions hurt us all, no matter what color we are.
9-08-2009 @ 9:40PM
TIFFANY said...
BRAVO! ENOUGH SAID.
9-08-2009 @ 10:09PM
zrd254 said...
I am as white as a ghost and I not only play tennis about 6 times a week, I teach it too. You sir are the real racist here. I grew up in Richmond, Va during the Arthur Ashe era and if you don't want to acknowledge the progress in race relations that's taken place since then well then at least admit that telling stories about racial prejudices that took place over 25 years ago is not only irrelevant, it's moot even.
I have ALWAYS rooted for Serena from the very beginning and as I already stated I'm whiter than a ghost. I root for Serena because she has the heart of a lion, not because she's black and I resent the insinuation that I would root for Oudin because she's white and not Serena because she's black in a matchup that may or may not even take place this Saturday. Get this....I have very dark hair and eyes...and have on several occasions found the crowd rooting for the blonde haired/blue eyed 'barbie doll' opponent I happened to be playing. Did I make a big deal of it? Did I accuse the crowd of being racist? Who cares even if they were or are? Didn't this country just elect a black president? Or doesn't that count because it didn't happen during Arthur's lifetime? Get over it and get over yourself.
9-08-2009 @ 11:27PM
TheLastWord said...
Race isn't a dirty little secret in America that is swept under the rug. It's simply insecure people like you who are the problem - the real racists. Richard Williams and his daughters can only blame themselves. And Arthur Ashe was one too - both insecure and a racist. Same goes for Eldrick (aka: Tiger) Woods. This is just their whining propoganda. Yes, the real truth hurts.