Mr shamil tarpischev biography

RTF president Tarpischev fined for 'Williams brothers' jibe

The WTA tour stated Shamil Tarpischev owed both Serena and Venus Williams a personal apology © Getty Images

Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev has been fined $25,000 (£15,500) by the WTA Tour and suspended from tour involvement for a year for questioning Serena and Venus Williams' gender in comments on Russian television last week.

Tarpischev appeared on the Russian late-night show "Evening Urgant" alongside former WTA player Elena Dementieva last week. When Dementieva was asked what it was like to play against the Williams sisters, Tarpischev jumped in and referred to them as the "Williams brothers," according to multiple reports.

After a back-and-forth with the show host and Dementieva, who did not laugh at the comment, Tarpischev reportedly continued: "It's frightening when you look at them. But really you just need to play against the ball."

The WTA Tour said on Friday that the $25,000 fine is the maximum allowed under tour rules and that it is seeking Tarpischev's removal as

Shamil Tarpischev fined, banned year

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev has been fined $25,000 by the WTA Tour and suspended from tour involvement for a year for questioning Serena and Venus Williams' gender in comments on Russian television last week.

Tarpischev appeared on the Russian late-night show "Evening Urgant" alongside former WTA player Elena Dementieva last week. When Dementieva was asked what it was like to play against the Williams sisters, Tarpischev jumped in and referred to them as the "Williams brothers," according to multiple reports.

After a back-and-forth with the show host and Dementieva, who did not laugh at the comment, Tarpischev reportedly continued: "It's frightening when you look at them. But really you just need to play against the ball."

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The WTA Tour said Friday that the $25,000 fine is the maximum allowed under tour rules and that it is seeking Tarpischev's removal as chairman of the Kremlin Cup for one year. The tour also said Tarpischev owes the Williams sisters a personal apology.

"The

Shamil Tarpischev fined, banned year

— -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev has been fined $25,000 by the WTA Tour and suspended from tour involvement for a year for questioning Serena and Venus Williams' gender in comments on Russian television last week.

Tarpischev appeared on the Russian late-night show "Evening Urgant" alongside former WTA player  Elena Dementieva last week. When Dementieva was asked what it was like to play against the Williams sisters, Tarpischev jumped in and referred to them as the "Williams brothers," according to multiple reports.

After a back-and-forth with the show host and Dementieva, who did not laugh at the comment, Tarpischev reportedly continued: "It's frightening when you look at them. But really you just need to play against the ball."

The WTA Tour said Friday that the $25,000 fine is the maximum allowed under tour rules and that it is seeking Tarpischev's removal as chairman of the Kremlin Cup for one year. The tour also said Tarpischev owes

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