Let’s be honest, no one likes a friendly rivalry.
Tennis greats Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams devolved into trading barbs Saturday over a Rolling Stone article published last week.
Williams has never exactly been the most eloquent of speakers and the article has already stirred up trouble. She had to issue an apology immediately after the article was released over comments that the victim in the Steubenville rape case “shouldn’t have put herself in that position.”
Now, the controversy has moved on to Williams’s criticism of Sharapova.
Williams called out “a Top-5 tennis player who is now in love” in the same Rolling Stone article. OK, not a big deal. Presumably she’s talking about Sharapova’s new relationship. But Williams didn’t stop there.
“She begins every interview with ‘I’m so happy. I’m so lucky’ — it’s so boring,” Williams was quoted as saying. “She’s still not going to be invited to the cool parties. And, hey, if she wants to be with the guy with a black heart, go for it.”
Oh, no. Not cool.
Apparently, according to the Rolling Stone writer, she’s referring to Sharapova’s boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov— “One of Serena’s rumored exes.”
Well of course Sharapova was asked about the comments at her pre-Wimbledon press conference Saturday.
“I just think she should be talking about her accomplishments, her achievements, than everything else that’s just getting attention and controversy,” Sharapova said.
OK, not a big deal. … But no, Sharapova couldn’t stop there.
“If she wants to talk about something personal, maybe she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend that was married and is getting a divorce and has kids,” Sharapova said.
Oh, no.
Williams is reportedly dating tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, though neither has stated so publicly. Pretty sure these pictures from a trip to Brazil last December speak for themselves though.
Probably a good idea for both ladies to keep the focus on the court at Wimbledon. Let’s just hope they meet there as well.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports. He’ll keep the comments free of criticism about who you’re dating.
