A reporter completely lost his marbles on Saturday while interviewing Serena Williams. Inside Tennis editor and magazine publisher Bill Simons had the audacity to ask Serena if she agreed with Donnie’s comments about Serena being “intimidated” by Maria Sharapova’s “supermodel good looks.”
The awkward interview began when Bill told Serena, “I know you want to get back to [your daughter] Olympia; work with me here, please.”
Serena kept her composure and said, “Work with me.”
“We’re in this together, baby” Bill said.
Serena calmly responded, “No, we’re not—you’re not going home to a screaming baby.”
Bill then asks Serena a question that I’m sure he wishes he had never asked!
“I have been waiting about 14 years to ask you this question: After the 2004 Wimbledon match with Maria, I had the opportunity to interview Donald Trump on his L.A. golf course, and he said that Maria’s shoulders were incredibly alluring and then he came up with his incredible analysis: that you were intimidated by her supermodel good looks. My question is: Have you ever been intimidated by anyone on a tennis court, and what are your thoughts about that occurrence?”
Serena responded and said, “I honestly don’t have any thoughts about that. I can’t say I have been intimidated by anyone. That’s all. That’s it.”
Bill realized he messed up after several male journalists and writers came at him on social media for his out of pocket question.
He tweeted an apology to Serena on Sunday.
“I apologize if my awkward ques seemed 2 empower Trump or attack Serena/I SO admire her/I’ve spent lifetime fighting racism/sexism/homophobia.Started campaign 2 name US Open Stad 4 Ashe/Lobbied long 2 get Serena 2 return to I. Wells/Called out police violence vs Blake/I’m so sorry”
Hopefully this reporter learned his lesson. Unfortunately we won’t get so see Serena and Maria battle it out in the French Open since a pectoral injury forced Serena to sit this competition out.
