The governing body of women’s tennis has fined the president of the Russian Tennis Federation $25,000 (£15,500) and suspended him for a year after he referred to the Williams sisters as “the Williams brothers”.
Shamil Tarpischev, a member of the International Olympic Committee, made the reference on a television chat show last week.
But his remarks were condemned by the chair of the Women’s Tennis Association, Stacey Allaster: “The statements made by Shamil Tarpischev on Russian television with respect to two of the greatest athletes in the history of women’s tennis are insulting, demeaning and have absolutely no place in our sport.
“The WTA was founded on principles of equality, opportunity and respect and Venus and Serena embody all of these attributes. Mr Tarpischev’s statements questioning their genders tarnish our great game and two of our champions. His derogatory remarks deserve to be condemned and he will be sanctioned.”
The WTA also called for Tarpischev – who is the chairman of the board for the Kremlin Cup tournament currently being held in Moscow – to issue a personal apology to the Williams sisters.
Earlier on Friday, the United States Tennis Assocaition (USTA) had described his comments as “reprehensible”.
“As the president of the USTA and a member of the board of directors of the International Tennis Federation, I call on Shamil Tarpischev to issue a formal apology to Venus and Serena Williams,” said a statement from president Dave Haggerty.
“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. Unfortunately, his comments do not embody either of these traits and in fact were reprehensible.”