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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.: Tarpischev sanctioned for Williams comments | Tennis | NewsObserver.comRussian 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.
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 Venus and Serena Williams a personal apology.
MOSCOW: Tarpischev: Williams comments meant as jokes | Tennis | NewsObserver.comRussian Tennis Federation head Shamil Tarpischev was unrepentant about the comments he made about the Williams sisters, saying Saturday they were only meant as jokes and that he doesn't understand why he was banned for a year by the WTA Tour.
Tarpischev was fined $25,000 and suspended from tour involvement for a year after referring to Serena and Venus Williams as "brothers" on a Russian TV show and called them "scary" to look at.
Asked whether he regretted his comments, Tarpischev told The Associated Press at the Kremlin Cup that the program on which he spoke was "a humorous show," adding: "I don't answer stupid questions."