‘Tennis girls are sexpots and bitches’ – Sexism in sport!

I don’t get it. I honestly don’t. Its all very well to make the odd joke about the opposite sex, hell- I do it all the time. However this headline is very different. Justin Gimelstob, a US player who sits on the board of directors of the Association of Tennis Professionals, has reportedly made sexist insults solely on some of the world’s leading female tennis players. His comments included exploiting female tennis players and are extremely sexist. When he was talking about Anna Kournikova he branded her a “bitch” and when he was asked if he was attracted to her, he said:

Definitely not. I have no attraction to her because she is such a douche. I really have no interest in her. I wouldn’t mind having my younger brother; who’s a kind of stud, nail her and then reap the benefits.

When I read this I was appalled. He may not like her, that is irrelevant, but he doesn’thave to say such a crude comment like that. It is those kinds of comments that make sexism worse, women are starting to be seen, by some, primarilyas something to be used and often in the sexual sense. It appalling, uncalled for and out of order. Gimelstob also commented:

Tatiana Golovin was a “sexpot”; Nicole Vaidisova “a well-developed young lady”; and said of Alize Cornet “she’s a little sexpot”

I suppose I should be grateful he didn’t go right out and call them sluts, although that was what he seemed to be saying. It is shameful that even sportswomen who excel are not except from such insulting remarks, if it criticized their play that is one thing, the fact they are judged solely on their looks is disgusting. When the scandal hit, Gimelstob tried to apologise:

There is no excuse and I am extremely disappointed in myself. I take full responsibility for all the words that came out of my mouth and, while I can’t take any of them back, I hope my heartfelt remorse can begin to heal the wounds felt by many. Among the targets of my venom was Anna Kournikova, not to mention a general disregard and disrespect toward women. They all deserve and have my deepest apologies. While I see how it could be implied my remarks, I assure you that I have the utmost respect for women.

Maybe I am just picky but I do not believe this is sincere in the way he is trying to portray. Yeah, he is sorry. But is he sorry for unintentionally being sexist? I don’t think so! He’s just sorry that he got such bad media attention and responses. You wouldn’t say something like this if you didn’t mean it, if you didn’t mean it you would even think of it. You might say some of them were good looking but would you say “Oh I hopes she gets nailed for benefits!” I do not believe he is sorry, I do not believe he didn’t mean it and I do not believe that he respects women. It is because of this he has now won a place on the page “Enemies of Women“. Read that page for more details and links to articals on other “winners”.