Maria Kirilenko of Russia is ranked 59th but got a Centre Court match.
Who knew the people running Wimbledon were sexist pigs? Organizers admitted to the Daily Mail that, in early rounds, they try and put very attractive women players on Centre Court, no matter their ranking. For example, 28th ranked Sorana Cirstea got to play on Centre Court, while Serena Williams was relegated to Court No. 2.
Spokesman Johnny Perkins said: “Good looks are a factor. … It’s not a coincidence that those (on Centre Court) are attractive.”
This is not the case with the men, where top-ranked Roger Federer and Andy Murray get Centre Court matches in early rounds, while lesser-ranked players are put on other courts. But for the women, looks trump talent. On one Centre Court matchup, seed 45 played seed 60.
Said a source for the BBC, which televises the matches and says Wimbledon organizers decide who plays on which court:
No one has heard of many of the women now, so if they are pretty it definitely gives them an edge. Our preference would always be a Brit or a babe as this always delivers high viewing figures.
On the website Jezebel, several commenters questioned how Serena Williams is not considered a babe, with one writing: “I’ll have my sexism with a topping of racism, thanks!”
This reminds me of the time Sports Illustrated put Russian Anna Kournikova on its cover despite her not having won a tournament. Sadly, the news about Wimbledon is only surprising in how upfront they are about favoring the babes.
on Jun 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I know plenty of black men who love them some Serena Willaims and they couldn’t give one crap about any of the white female players on the tour. So race definately played a factor.
on Jun 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Serena Williams… really? Great tennis player but one ugly woman!
on Jun 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Serena can look both hot or as a hot mess. Some pics make her look like a serious drag queen. Other pics, she can look gorgeous. I think she would look amazing in one of those athletic-type nudes.
on Jun 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
My other concern is that they completely disrespected the recent French Open champion as well. Svetlana Kuznetsova should have been given that courtesy to get a Center Court or Court One match for her first match.
on Jul 1st, 2009 at 8:13 am
Serena Williams is a woman??? that’s somthing i didn’t know
thanks for the info 