https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r35Dyk9fze4
Canadian tennis phenom Eugenie Bouchard is at the center of an interview controversy making waves at the Australian Open. After defeating Kiki Bertens in the tournament’s second round, she was asked to twirl by Australian commentator Ian Cohen to show off her outfit.
Bouchard seemed to laugh off the eyebrow-raising interview request by saying, “It was very unexpected. I mean, yeah, I don’t know. An old guy asking you to twirl, it was funny.” During the actual interview, you can easily see her surprise at being asked the question.
Channel 7 in Australia is trying to distance themselves from Cohen’s odd request by saying that he works for host broadcaster Tennis Australia for their digital service. Cohen is seen holding a Channel 7 mic for the interview.
Of course, the chances of seeing Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal (in spite of his short shorts) or any top male tennis player being asked to parade themselves like a fashion model are between slim and none. That’s exactly the perspective Serena Williams voiced regarding the controversy. In that aspect, it’s certainly worth asking whether this question crossed the boundary of respectable behavior from the interviewer. To me, it’s more demeaning than anything else to reduce a world class athlete to twirling for your personal amusement after a victory.
H/T The Telegraph
