The Williams and their Twitter Debacles
When it comes to controversy, the Williams family are true pros. Every once in a while, one of the family members will make statements which can only be deemed as ignorant or wildly politically incorrect. The family has already obtained something of a reputation
as quite eccentric. This is only encouraged by their father Richard Williams’ public behaviour, rumours of beating his ex-wife Oracene, and allegations that he takes issue against his daughters playing each other in tournaments, forcing one of them to drop
out when this happens.
In addition to this, the advent of Twitter has only increased the already increasingly unacceptable social etiquettes of the Williams. Serena and her mother have both been involved in controversies which stem from the social networking website this year.
The first of these debacles occurred in early August, involving Serena Williams. The former World Number 1 met James Blake in LA to promote the ATP Farmer’s Classic tennis tournament. When she returned to the city, she demanded free tickets to the event;
possibly because she contributed to the promotions or because she felt she was entitled, being Serena Williams. It was probably a mixture of both these feelings which propelled her to demand tickets, but unfortunately for her the event organizers felt differently
and told her that she would have to pay the standard fee, one hundred US dollars, for the ticket. This upset the younger Williams, who immediately posted up a juvenile post on her Twitter account mocking the tournament:
“Omg! The @farmersclassic tennis tournament in LA is charging me $100 a ticket... After I plugged them!!! Lol ill send a bill for my plug!”
Had Williams made an argument about the principle of the matter rather than the money involved, she would still be right. However, with Twitter, the downside is that the player decided that the best way to steam off was to post up a rant on a public network.
This culiminated in her trying to convince fans not to go to the tournament:
“@farmersclassic = use @serenajwilliams than over charge her to see tennis! Lol. Anywho don't go if u r in LA”.
Now, Oracene Price seems to have decided that she will not be left behind in this competition. Always outspoken, she seems to have outdone herself this year. In January, a reporter asked her if she regretted coming to the Australia tournament. She said,
“Yes I do regret coming here every day. It’s getting dull, to be perfectly honest. I’ve had it. I’ve had my fill. I had enough.” As if this wasn’t enough, when asked if watching the sport tires out, she said airily, “Oh please! I go to sleep. That’s why I
wear the sunglasses.”
Oracene has also accused fans at Roland Garros of racism after they supported Justine Henin against Serena at the 2003 French Open semi final. She commented on the supporters, saying, “Lack of class and total ignorance, or they just don't know tennis and
the etiquette of tennis.” She also attempted to pass off the support as racism, telling, “They wanted a blonde and a ponytail. We, as black people, live with this all the time.”
In the latest edition of the Williams family drama, Oracene now has a Twitter account. She called the Fed Cup “boring” this week; an opinion which is no doubt only broadcasted due to her own daughters’ dropping out of the event. She said,
“I'm having fun. The SUN in my life is bright. Thing about attending the boring Fed Cup in San Diego.”
If nothing else, Oracene should realize that her family’s lack of participation does not validate her lack of respect for the event.
(The above is writer’s own independent opinion)
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