Comments on: Serena and Venus Williams still determined to skip Indian Wells, will avoid suspension though http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/ Latest WTA News, Top Women's Tennis Players Articles Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:18:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mmlilting http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-78856 mmlilting Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:41:38 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-78856 Woops. I obviosly meant to write, "THERE" in the Middle East. Woops. I obviosly meant to write, "THERE" in the Middle East.

]]> By: mmlilting http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-78854 mmlilting Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:38:33 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-78854 Richard, you are right. The Williams sisters do not need to show the people at Indian Wells anything because Serena already did. Despite all the booing, hissing, racial slurs and even THROWING of DEBRIS at their wonderful coach and father, Mr. Williams, Serena Williams WON that tournament at Indian Wells when she was an innocent teenager against FOREIGNER Kim Clijsters!And Venus, as a multiple grand slam champion and winner their in the Middle East was probably more effective than Andy skipping the tournament (though his gesture was well-intentioned) because he'd won considerably less than Venus had. I think Venus's stance may well have been the reason Peer got to play the next year. Btw, did any white players speak out against what happened at Indian Wells? Did any of them boycott? Kim Clijsters was PLAYING and saw it and never said a word. I know she and the rest of the world were/are SHOCKED at the way black people/citizens were/are treated in this country, though. Justine Henin told a French reporter that "Americans" don't like Serena! And that's even though Serena and Venus risked injury playing in Fed Cup for the USA for little or no remuneration and have brought back gold medals from the Olympics for the USA too. Everyone watching that match at Indian Wells on tv could see and hear the evil that was happening to innocent teenaged Serena, and it was much WORSE in person, I assure you. Serena, thank God, kept her composure, won that tournament at Indian Wells, and classily referenced the evil of the crowd (by merely saying they weren't very nice), while graciously acknowledging her opponent in the final ( foreigner Kim Clijsters), and verbally accepting the title. Richard, you are right. The Williams sisters do not need to show the people at Indian Wells anything because Serena already did. Despite all the booing, hissing, racial slurs and even THROWING of DEBRIS at their wonderful coach and father, Mr. Williams, Serena Williams WON that tournament at Indian Wells when she was an innocent teenager against FOREIGNER Kim Clijsters!And Venus, as a multiple grand slam champion and winner their in the Middle East was probably more effective than Andy skipping the tournament (though his gesture was well-intentioned) because he'd won considerably less than Venus had. I think Venus's stance may well have been the reason Peer got to play the next year. Btw, did any white players speak out against what happened at Indian Wells? Did any of them boycott? Kim Clijsters was PLAYING and saw it and never said a word. I know she and the rest of the world were/are SHOCKED at the way black people/citizens were/are treated in this country, though. Justine Henin told a French reporter that "Americans" don't like Serena! And that's even though Serena and Venus risked injury playing in Fed Cup for the USA for little or no remuneration and have brought back gold medals from the Olympics for the USA too. Everyone watching that match at Indian Wells on tv could see and hear the evil that was happening to innocent teenaged Serena, and it was much WORSE in person, I assure you. Serena, thank God, kept her composure, won that tournament at Indian Wells, and classily referenced the evil of the crowd (by merely saying they weren't very nice), while graciously acknowledging her opponent in the final ( foreigner Kim Clijsters), and verbally accepting the title.

]]> By: richard http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-54378 richard Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:32:21 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-54378 I use to be an Athlete, I competed at a high level,and can imagine what it was like, even though I did not experience that level of racism.The Williams are right not to go back,what would it achive? All you people saying they should go back and show them….show them what? People that are racist need to know that their racist,if the Williams were to go back to IW it would not stop people being racist,the organisers need to do something about it to show that it will not be tolerated at IW or any other sport.People talk about the Williams loosing out on prize money etc, it should not be about money.Repect to the Williams. I use to be an Athlete, I competed at a high level,and can imagine what it was like, even though
I did not experience that level of racism.The Williams are right not to go back,what would it achive? All you people saying they should go back and show them….show them what? People that are racist need to know that their racist,if the Williams were to go back to IW it would not stop people being racist,the organisers need to do something about it to show that it will not be tolerated at IW or any other sport.People talk about the Williams loosing out on prize money etc, it should not be about money.Repect to the Williams.

]]> By: chuks oriuwa http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-35911 chuks oriuwa Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:34:54 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-35911 I would like to know what specific steps the wta taking to protect players from racial slurs. I would like to know what specific steps the wta taking to protect players from racial slurs.

]]> By: Jeff Coale http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-33875 Jeff Coale Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:14:06 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-33875 I enjoy, very much, watching both sisters perform and WIN on the WTA. I understand completely what happened back in 01 and agree with their decisions, however, it's time to move on. What I'd love to see is for them to return to Indian Wells and clean house, so to speak. They could, as they choose at will to at major events, walk away with both the singles and doubles titles. That, alone, would speak volumes to their many fans. To rise above what happened in 01 and come back to the Gardens and take everything home! I, for one, miss seeing them compete at the event, especially, now that it's a Premier Event. I enjoy, very much, watching both sisters perform and WIN on the WTA. I understand completely what happened back in 01 and agree with their decisions, however, it's time to move on. What I'd love to see is for them to return to Indian Wells and clean house, so to speak. They could, as they choose at will to at major events, walk away with both the singles and doubles titles. That, alone, would speak volumes to their many fans. To rise above what happened in 01 and come back to the Gardens and take everything home! I, for one, miss seeing them compete at the event, especially, now that it's a Premier Event.

]]> By: Marvin Grimes http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-13742 Marvin Grimes Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:33:39 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-13742 I am very proud of Venus and Serena. They have had great personal success in the midst of adversity, and the entire global tennis community has benefited from them. When they're playing, everything is up, ticket sales, attendance, ratings,excitement, etc.... even for the players. As far as Indian Wells is concerned, when a person is faced with rasism, there is no wrong way to react and everybody doesn't react the same. You have to do what's right for you. Also you have to pick your battles, because sometimes even if you win you lose something else. I support them 100%, they have truly been a blessing and have inspired lots of little girls and boys all over the world! I am very proud of Venus and Serena. They have had great personal success in the midst of adversity, and the entire global tennis community has benefited from them. When they're playing, everything is up, ticket sales, attendance, ratings,excitement, etc…. even for the players.

As far as Indian Wells is concerned, when a person is faced with rasism, there is no wrong way to react and everybody doesn't react the same. You have to do what's right for you.

Also you have to pick your battles, because sometimes even if you win you lose something else.

I support them 100%, they have truly been a blessing and have inspired lots of little girls and boys all over the world!

]]> By: adelaide duncan http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-13692 adelaide duncan Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:58:58 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-13692 adelaide march 21, 2009 I just want to say how proud I am of the williams sisters for standing up their right not to play at indian wells. why should they subject themselves to this kind of treament. and so far as there being critized about not voting in the presidential election there religion tells them differnt. we have of"religous freedom" but I guess it's only for the select few. adelaide march 21, 2009

I just want to say how proud I am of the williams sisters for standing up their right not to play at
indian wells. why should they subject themselves to this kind of treament.

and so far as there being critized about not voting in the presidential election there religion
tells them differnt. we have of"religous freedom"
but I guess it's only for the select few.

]]> By: hillstein http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-13639 hillstein Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:15:23 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-13639 I found it ironic that the WTA would implement this rule AFTER the 2001 incident. I was hoping the Williams Sisters would challenge it in court. Every so often, an African-American has to go to court to protect their rights to work. This is no different. Curt Flood pioneered this course and basically reminded us that we are no longer slaves. Challenging the "WILLIAMS RULE" on safety issues is another point. The fact that we have 1) the Monica Seles Stabbing and 2) the streaker at the Austrailian Open These are just two incidents that prove the WTA cannot protect their players, necessitating they take preventive steps for their safety. I am with the Sisters all the way, even though I miss seeing them play. I'll survive. I found it ironic that the WTA would implement this rule AFTER the 2001 incident. I was hoping the Williams Sisters would challenge it in court.
Every so often, an African-American has to go to
court to protect their rights to work. This is no
different. Curt Flood pioneered this course and
basically reminded us that we are no longer slaves. Challenging the "WILLIAMS RULE" on safety
issues is another point. The fact that we have
1) the Monica Seles Stabbing and
2) the streaker at the Austrailian Open

These are just two incidents that prove the WTA
cannot protect their players, necessitating they
take preventive steps for their safety. I am with
the Sisters all the way, even though I miss seeing
them play. I'll survive.

]]> By: Marija http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-13618 Marija Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:15:49 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-13618 The WTA is probably afraid to adjust the rules to the Williams sisters, because other players could ask for similar things in the future for whatever reason, so the WTA decided to stick to their rules no matter what. The WTA is probably afraid to adjust the rules to the Williams sisters, because other players could ask for similar things in the future for whatever reason, so the WTA decided to stick to their rules no matter what.

]]> By: Cedric http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/comment-page-1/#comment-13612 Cedric Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:57:57 +0000 http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/03/04/serena-and-venus-williams-still-determined-to-skip-indian-wells-will-avoid-suspension-though/#comment-13612 Hello. I'm French and I agree 100% that the Williams sisters boycot the tournament. We have top ranked black players here (Tsonga and Monfils) and I can't imagine one moment that the crowd sends them racial insults. What happened in Indian Wells is SCANDALOUS and the WTA should make an exception and not give any sanction to the Williams sisters for not participating. It is NORMAL to refuse to take part in a tournament when you feel you are not welcome because you received racial insults and was humiliated in the whole world (even here in France we know what happened and the TV commentators talk about it every year). Hello. I'm French and I agree 100% that the Williams sisters boycot the tournament. We have top ranked black players here (Tsonga and Monfils) and I can't imagine one moment that the crowd sends them racial insults. What happened in Indian Wells is SCANDALOUS and the WTA should make an exception and not give any sanction to the Williams sisters for not participating. It is NORMAL to refuse to take part in a tournament when you feel you are not welcome because you received racial insults and was humiliated in the whole world (even here in France we know what happened and the TV commentators talk about it every year).

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