BBC draws criticism over 'questioning' Serena's equal pay claim for women players

Published July 8, 2016
"I don't deserve to be paid less because of my sex," Serena Williams. — AFP/File
"I don't deserve to be paid less because of my sex," Serena Williams. — AFP/File

Top ranked Serena Williams raced into Wimbledon final after a comprehensive straight set victory over Russia’s Elena Vesnina on Friday.

However, her record victory — the fastest semifinal in the history of Wimbledon — was marred by an allegedly sexist tweet from British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Sport's official account.

The tweet said: “Her match lasted just 48 minutes…but Serena Williams says female players deserve equal pay.”

— Dawn.com
— Dawn.com

The tweet received massive criticism, compelling BBC Sport to take it down.

The 34-year-old Williams after the semifinal had said: “I don't deserve to be paid less because of my sex."

“Basically my whole life I've been doing this. I haven't had a life," she said.

“I would like to see people — the public, the press, and other athletes in general — just realise and respect women for who they are and what we are and what we do.”

Earlier this year, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic voiced that men deserved to be paid more than their female counterparts as they attract more crowds.

But later, he apologised saying, “I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport.”

The tweet comes three days after the BBC Sport referred to Pakistan's international cricketer Mohammad Amir as a “convicted spot-fixer” for his involvement in spot-fixing along with Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

The semifinal

In a one-sided contest, the American tennis player served 11 aces, to beat Vesnina by 6-2 and 6-0.

Williams bagged 28 winners, whereas, the Russian Vesnina was able to win only 9 points.

Serena, who eyes her sixth grass courts’ event win, will face Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final. The German defeated Serena’s sister, Venus William, with straight sets (6-4 and 6-4) in the second semifinal.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...