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Serena Williams’ husband has reignited his feud with a billionaire businessman who previously said his wife was too tall and should retire from the sport.
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of social news website Reddit, called Romanian businessman Ion Tiriac on Twitter again after Williams qualified for her 40th career Grand Slam semi-final at the Open d ‘Australia Tuesday evening.
This followed a dominant display against world number two Simona Halep, with Williams now just two wins away from tying Margaret Court’s career record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Ohanian tweeted again that it was a ‘good thing that no one listens to this racist sexist (clown) Tiriac’, after the former tennis and ice hockey player said at the end of the last year that Williams ‘didn’t move as easily as 15 years ago due to his age and weight’.
Alexis Ohanian (pictured right) reignited his feud with billionaire businessman Ion Tiriac on social media
Ohanian’s wife Serena Williams (pictured above) is widely regarded as the best female tennis player of all time
He then added that “ if she (Williams) had a little decency, she would retire.
Tiriac has been widely condemned for his unpleasant comments, but that hasn’t stopped Ohanian from raising the subject again on social media.
In response, Tiriac’s son, Ion Alexandru, issued a open letter to Williams’ husband on Twitter amid continued criticism from fans who questioned Tiriac’s claim that he had ‘immense respect’ for the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“To Mrs. Williams’ husband” it all started.
‘I read your Tweeter with a mixture of disbelief and disgust.
“The name Țiriac has a 70 year tradition in the sports world and the gentleman you speak of wrote some important chapters that have contributed to the book of tennis over these decades.
“ From the player, to the coach, to the manager, to the tournament promoter, the respected person you pronounce in these derogatory terms has and still is, at 82, one of the sport’s most fervent defenders.
“The respect he (Ion Țiriac) has for Ms. Williams is enormous, as it should be.
“She is and will go down in history as one of the top 20-25 players who made a huge contribution to the sport.
“She has a personality that has opened many doors for younger generations of athletes, in all areas of sport and in all social areas. For that, we are very grateful to him.
‘Mr. Williams, the only reason I’m responding to your pointless tweet is that words are misused and misinterpreted in today’s world across the various platforms that exist.
“Freedom of expression must not be wrongly replaced by inappropriate slander.”
Tiriac’s son Alexandru responded to Ohanian with an open letter on Twitter (pictured above)
Businessman Ion Tiriac (pictured above) has been widely condemned after calling on Serena Williams to ‘have a little decency and retire’ and that she wasn’t the same player in because of its “ size and age ”
Alexis Olympia, Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams (pictured above) travel the world with their family
Ion Alexandru said Ohanian’s words could be seen as a “ misrepresentation ” of Serena’s legacy.
“Congratulations to Serena, very well deserved, keep moving forward and writing history in such a great career, Alexandru Tiriac,” the scathing letter concludes.
Earlier in the tournament, Ohanian proudly showed his support for his wife by wearing a t-shirt in the stands that read “ tallest female athlete ” with “ woman ” crossed out.
Alexis Ohanian (pictured above left) and coach Patrick Mouratoglou cheer on Serena Williams against Romania’s Simona Halep at the Australian Open
Alexis Olympia (pictured above) will have chunky shoes to fill on the court if she follows in her famous mother’s footsteps
This left a clear message that Williams is a pioneer in global sport, regardless of gender.
Williams is widely regarded by respected judges as the best female tennis player of all time.
At the end of 2020, when asked about Tiriac’s comments, she said it was an ‘ignorant comment, and it’s a sexist comment, and maybe he’s an ignorant man’ ‘.
10th seed Williams will face Naomi Osaka of Japan for a place in the final starting at 2 p.m. EST at Melbourne Park on Thursday.
Williams has won the Australian Open women’s crown seven times, with her first triumph in 2003.
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