I remember reading an article in which a prominent African American Sports Psychologist said that he could close his eyes and tell the color of the athlete by the words the commentators used. I have had to put my mute button on a number of occasions when watching a game with the Williams sisters. The main offender is Mary Carillo. But she is by no means the only offender. It would take up too much space to enumerate the many instances when their bias and prejudice seeped through. I do not make this charge lightly.
Let's look at the disgraceful end to the semi-final between Clijsters and Serena Williams this evening.
In the games I have watched, the only foot-faults I have heard called at the US Open, have been called against the Williamses.
Serena was down a set and serving to make it 5 all in the second set. She serves and a lines-woman called for foot fault. Serena went off. She was justifiable angry. The end result is that the point - and thus the match - was won by Clisjsters. Kim had played a superior game the whole evening and I am not sad to see her win. As a woman I rejoice for her. She came back after giving birth and outplayed both sisters. Great job Kim.
Of course, on closer inspection, there was no foot-fault. The lines-woman was wrong. But the damage had been done. I have seen Serena down before and fought back to win. That girl is a champion and has the heart of a champion. Until the game is over, my money is on Serena. The lines-woman robbed her of the chance to fight back, robbed us of what could have been a thrilling game and robbed Clisjters of the joy she should have felt for her remarkable feat.
My problem is the announcers. And the crowd. The other day, Mary Carillo remarked on the remarkable support Clisjters had received from the crowd in her game against Venus. Yes, in her own country, the crowd was cheering for her opponent. Of course, this is not the first, second, or third time that this has happened. The American crowds almost always cheer for anybody playing against the Williamses. Hingis, Davenport, Henin, Sharapova, anybody. This is not so in other countries with other players. The French always cheer for their own. The English always cheer for their own. The Australians always cheer for their own. The Americans always cheer for their own - except for the Williamses.
The incident at the semi-final which resulted in Serena being - in effect - thrown out, left Carillo impatient and upset that Clisjter's glory was being tarnished. Dick Endberg all but condemned Serena. Close your eyes and imagine that this would have been Oudin. Do you think the announcers would have reacted the same way? Would they have shown some sympathy for Oudin or condemned her for her outburst? Would they have been angry at the - clearly untrained - lines-woman for her messing up Oudin's march to glory?
I have heard Carillo's joyous outburst at the show of "passion" from a player. I have heard her encouraging, forgiving and understanding remarks when a player has "lost it." Only not the Williamses. This is not a recent thing with Ms. Carillo. I have had to write to NBC (or any channel she has been on) on numerous occasions about her.
You can close your eyes and tell when the announcers are talking about Serena and Venus. With other players, it is all about the game and little bits of information designed to make them more lovable. The tone changes to one of even ridicule when it is Serena and Venus. As was the case when 2 female announcers spoke about Serena's book. They were openly snarky. Why aren't they more grateful that they are allowed to play? How dare they find interest outside the game?
I remember the drubbing they game Richard Williams for holding up a sign about his daughter. And then how understanding and encouraging they were when Sharapova's dad showed his joy at his daughter's win in the most exuberant fashion I had ever seen at a game.
Double standard. Overt prejudice. What else must these two girls do, to get the same love as Oudin? Haven't they done enough for this country?
I say shame on you, Mary Carillo. Shame on you, Dick Enberg. Shame on you all for treating these wonderful girls in such a shabby, disrespectful manner. Enough!