Australian tennis great Rennae Stubbs has been slammed by fans across the world after she defended Serena Williams for her ‘arrogant’ antics at Wimbledon.
Williams played her first professional singles match since 2022 in the first round on Tuesday, but was defeated by rising Aussie player Maya Joint.
After the loss, the 23-time grand slam champion skipped the mandatory post-match media conference.
Williams’ decision to skip the presser was widely seen as a sign of bad sportsmanship from a sore loser, with one tennis commentator branding her arrogant as a result.
Some fans were also angered by the perfunctory handshake Williams gave Joint straight after match point.
Stubbs, who is Williams’ coach, leapt to her defence on social media and blasted the 44-year-old’s critics, many of whom saw her return to the court as a publicity stunt and urged her to retire permanently.
Serena Williams (pictured) has been slammed for her off-court antics following her defeat to Maya Joint, as she was called arrogant for refusing to attend the mandatory post-match press conference at Wimbledon
Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs (pictured) defended the star – and was hit with a huge backlash on social media
Williams (pictured) was defeated in her first professional singles match in almost four years and was torched as a sore loser for refusing to publicly congratulate her opponent
‘The hate and lack of empathy in this world is astounding to me. Especially when you have no idea what you’re talking about. Just blows my mind,’ Stubbs wrote on X.
Fans have since taken aim at Stubbs for her remarks on social media.
‘Sorry but a player of Serena’s stature has to be at that press conference after a loss, because everyone knows if she won she would’ve been there…’ one replied on X.
‘Vague virtue signaling will help. Well done. You’ve become the Karen of tennis,’ another wrote.
‘After a long, successful career, you’d expect that taking defeat with dignity should be easier,’ a third added.
‘She could have given her opponent the respect she deserved. Barely acknowledged her!! If she thinks she’s so high and mighty, then someone beating her deserves at least a handshake that meant something. You could see it in Joint’s face and expression, she expected a little more from someone she has probably looked up to for years,’ another commenter wrote.
Other comments included ‘Serena was awful, graceless and lacking in class. You know that and the world saw it’; ‘Settle down Rennae – you’re a great coach but your client Serena is so unlikeable’; and ‘We know what we saw, Rennae. We saw the usual poor loser attitude from Serena. You know damn well if she had won she would have been gushing over Maya & offering friendship.’
Williams was defeated in a three-set epic on Centre Court, with Joint claiming the most notable win of her young career.
When the American didn’t show up to the post-match presser, the tournament released a statement on her behalf.
‘It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here,’ Williams’ official comment read.
‘The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.’
Williams didn’t lock eyes with Joint as they met at the net following the match, and didn’t offer her any congratulations in the immediate aftermath.
But after the furore over her no-show, Williams eventually applauded her Aussie opponent for the thrilling victory.
‘Congratulations to Maya Joint on a great match, and thank you to everyone who showed up and showed me so much love. That feeling will never get old,’ she said.
