To begin, I would like to ask you how many notable African-American tennis players you can name.
Besides Arthur Ashe, and Venus and Serena Williams, it is probable that you would have to do some research to compose a list of more than three players. This is the reality of the game of tennis. Like golf, it has always been a predominately white, middle-class sport, both for the athletes who play the game, and the audiences who watch it.
In our readings, MediaSport states that “black athletes have historically been underrepresented in the sports media” (448). While this was formerly true for most all sports, tennis seems to remain the sport where black athletes have to struggle to be accepted by both the media, and the tour’s primarily white crowds. After reading several articles, it seems clear that tour audiences do not seem too fond of letting minority players, such as Venus and Serena Williams, dominate their traditionally white sport.
As someone who doesn’t follow tennis incredibly closely, I would say that tennis powerhouses Venus and Serena seem to be adored by the media. Their impact on tennis is undeniable, as their talent has intensified the level of play in all areas of the game, and they always seem to be two of the more popular players on WTA tours. But ever since the 2001 Sony Ericsson Tour, there has been controversy regarding the Williams sisters being targets of racism by the media, and by stadium crowds around the women’s tour. Venus was booed by the crowd after she backed out of a semifinal match with a knee injury. Serena went on to win the title, but was booed both during and after match.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/tennis/03/20/wta.williams.ap/index.html
Stories like these of the sisters being abused by white crowds are well documented, and apparently very common, but are kept quiet by both the media and the tours’ white commentators. White female commentators are known to praise white players like Maria Sharapova in all areas of her game, but discredit Venus and Serena, saying their championship titles are a result of physical ability rather than their skills and knowledge of the game. Just recently, during the women’s tour in India in early March, Serena won the title. Her father, Richard Williams, stated that “it was the worst media job that they have done on any human being in the world.” While the WTA’s head Larry Scott adamantly denies the recent claims of racism on the women’s tour, it leads to my first question:
Do you think that tennis is a racist sport? Does there appear to be covert racism, or in several cases obvious racism, that exists against the Williams sisters because they do not meet the traditional standards of female tennis players? (white, thin, feminine physique) How do you feel the media’s coverage, support, and praise of white players like Maria Sharapova compares to the Williams sisters? If you do think that racism exists in tennis, do you think it’s an issue that can ever be solved? or is the idea of tennis being a predominately white sport too imbedded in our culture?
4 comments:
It wasn’t until after reading Rachel’s blog that I realized that tennis truly is a predominately white sport. If I was asked to name any African American tennis players, I think I could only name the Williams sisters. The same goes for golf, I could probably only name Tiger Woods. However, I do not think tennis is a racist sport, I think it is a sport represented by class and socio-economical standings. I think tennis is a common sport amongst middle and upper class families. The reason for this I think is because tennis can be a somewhat expensive sport. From the racquets, to the uniforms, to the lessons it all adds up. Not saying that a predominately black sport such as basketball can’t become expensive – it is just more accessible (all you need is a $20 basketball and you are set). Now, I’m not only saying that wealthy people can play tennis either, I think that it is just more likely and accessible to them. Tennis is also not as popular as sports such as football and basketball. Sports like these are often funded by schools and make it easy for children of all backgrounds, classes, and colors to play.
I think that the William sisters are often stereotyped against more so for their general overall appearance – not just their color. They are indeed extremely athletic, muscular, and exhibit some intense behavior on the tennis court (grunting?) and of course this all may be a shock to fans of tennis because it is extremely uncommon and rarely seen. Such extreme athletes (often African Americans) are often seen playing high intensity sports such as basketball, field events, and football. The Handbook notes this by stating, “black excellence on the sports field was interpreted as a function of genetically endowed skills, and van Sterkenburg and Knoppers also suggest that ‘a natural physicality discourse’ if often used by those in the media to ‘explain the great number of black athletes in certain events and sports” (453). So maybe it is just unexpected for race often associated with such powerful sports to be seen playing a more dainty and reserved sport. Furthermore, Rachel is right, tennis players are often noted as being long, lean, cute, and extremely feminine. I think the Williams sisters are shocking the tennis industry in ways other then just their color- they are proclaiming that African Americans can play sports outside their stereotypical norm.
I feel that a big reason of why Sharapova is discussed and covered as much as she is due to the fact that she is sexy, slim and eye candy on the court. She is the traditional “image” associated with tennis and that is what gets her constant and positive love from the media. I believe that Sharapova is looked at as being the typical “cookie cutter” inspirational tennis player. Like if you were an aspiring tennis player, the media plays it as you should try to be Sharapova. I believe that the Williams sisters are often noted on their differences and not shone in such a positive light as other players are.
I do believe that tennis is a predominately white sport. However, I do not believe it is racist. I think that the tennis world is still in shock over the performance of the Williams sisters and not exactly used to their type of performance. I do believe that tennis will forever be seen as a ‘country club’ sport, such as tennis and swimming. I do not believe it is entitled only for white people, I see it more so as being entitled only to those who can afford it and attain the necessary equipment and education to play.
As a celebrity gossip enthusiast, I generally get my entertainment information from TMZ.com. That being said, when celebrity gossip sites talk about sports figures in tennis the only ones that generally come to mind are Venus and Serena Williams. I also don’t think that they have ever been portrayed badly on this web site. The most awful thing they have said was about Serena’s swinging arm being double the size of her other, but let’s be serious most tennis players’ are. But on the other hand, when they speak of Anna Kornikova or Maria Sharapova, it is because of how good they look or who they are dating, while the Williams’ sisters stories are about them attending events or what they have accomplished. Aside from this, when I watch the news the whole sport of Tennis is generally glazed over, and the mentions of Serena and Venus are no different.
I do believe that racism exists in Tennis, but that it is a covert form of racism. In a predominantly white sport with a massive white audience, it is obvious that there will be some racial tension when African American players supersede the white players in rankings. But that is not only evident in Tennis: Golf is the same way. Chapter 28 of the Handbook discusses how that notion is evident with Tiger Woods. The Handbook states that “From the beginning, Tiger Woods has been carefully packaged, a meticulously choreographed mediated representation.” (471)
This “packaging” was so not to irritate the overwhelmingly white audience of golf. This approach has worked well and Tiger is very accepted in the world of golf, which makes me believe that the Williams’ sisters’ problem is that they were not so carefully packaged for their audience. I don’t agree with the fact that an athlete should have to reinvent themselves in order to become popular in their field, but apparently it is what has to be done in this backwards world.
Although it is embedded in our culture, football, basketball, and baseball were all originally the same way: predominantly white. But look at those sports now. They are dominated by African American sports powerhouses. Tennis and Golf are behind the times, but I think they can eventually evolve.
I did not even realize that tennis could possibly be considered a racist sport before reading this post. And I did not know about the coverage or lack of coverage with the Williams sisters. Despite this though, I do not believe that tennis is a racist sport. I'm not saying that racism doesn't still exist in this world, because unfortunatley it does. But I wouldn't say that tennis is a racist sport. Personally I think there is a lack of media coverage with tennis all together anyway.
When I think of tennis, I think of a sport that is, yes, pre-dominantly white, but also I think of poeple who are upper middle class and upper class poeple. Even if you look on television shows and movies, a wealthy family that is featured usually has a tennis court in their backyard or is taking tennis lessons. Same with golf, wealthy poeple on television are always shown playing tennis or golf. However, when I think of tennis I also think of the Williams sisters.
I do not follow tennis at all. So when I think of women's tennis, I think of who else, but the Williams sisters. I don't think I can name another women's tennis player. So for two black women to be representing a sport is great. Even if I could name a few more tennis players, Venus and Serena would still be named and I do not think I am alone in that. I think that shows the impact they have on tennis as they have millions of fans who adore them. I even see them on TV outside the tennis court.
The handbook says that "black althetes have been historically underrepresented in the media" (448). But then it also mentioned that it has been increasing because of the increase in African American players. I think that sometimes people forget how really young this country is and that not too long ago, racism and civil rights were very large issues. It wasn't until Jackie Robinson that black athletes were represented in baseball, and look at baseball today. There is certainly many black baseball players. Similarly, look at basketball today. Now that is a sport that is viewed as a predominantly black. But look at all of the coverage in the media it gets. It probably took some getting used to by journalists in this country and fans also, for black athletes to be covered in the news, much less actually being athletes.
Yes, the handbook does say that "black athletes have been historical underrespresented in the media," (448). At the same time you must realixe the sport we are discussing at this time. How many african american tennis players can you come up with? The answer is a handful, but yet again how popular is a sport, how much money is there in the sport, and how prominant is the sport in the United States?
The point I am trying to make here is that tennis is as popular in American, practically as much as soccer is in this country. Who wants to play a sport uncommon in this country, or should I say unpopular. The bottom line is African Americans can simply by a basketball for a cheap price as opposed to a new racket for hundreds of dollars. Sports gear is becoming more and more expensive and without the necessary tools to play, inner city children will play what they have access to. The said reality is that most african americans liviing in the inner cities and other low income societies is that they will play what they have access to and have the ability to purchase. For most African Americans there is not as much courts and cheap gear to find throughout the country.
On the other hand, I can see the point that the media and announcers do give the Williams sisters a hard time. After all, they are not the most feminine tennis players of all time. Perhaps it goes back to the idea of gender rasicism. Women like them should not be grunting and looking all fit and tone. Maybe the announcers and tennis society feel they set a bad example.
In conclusion, plenty of sports can seem prejudice because of the lack of african americans, such as hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, and baseball. But lets take a look at football and basketball where black are prominent, could it be because they have access to a football and basketball at a reasonable price. The other sports tend to get expencive and cause african americans to go to other sports.
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