Controversial Cartoon of Serena Williams Draws Criticism across the World

Serena Williams' action during the US Open has drawn criticism across the world, now a controversial cartoon that has come up in an Australian newspaper added fuel to the fire as the tennis star is facing criticism both sexist and racist, for her action. The cartoon of Serena William first appeared at the start of the week in Herald Sun, a Melbourne based Newspaper with the front-page headline “Welcome to PC World”.

Cartoonist Mark Knight tried to depict Serena Williams throwing tantrums at the US Open, which attracted widespread condemnation from around the world. The newspaper later wrote in support of the cartoon, saying, “If the self-appointed censors of Mark Knight get their way on his Serena Williams cartoon, our new politically correct life will be very dull indeed”.

The cover of the newspaper also included the caricatures of other Australian and foreign political leaders drawn by Cartoonist Mark Knight. The veteran cartoonist also said that he has to suspend his Twitter account in order to protect his family and friends from angry critics. As he tweeted the cartoon, which has attracted more than 22,000 comments, most of which are abusive.

Mark Knight’s detractors on Twitter also include author JK Rowling, who said, “Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to racist and sexist tropes and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop”.

Reacting on this Mark said, “world has just gone crazy. I drew this cartoon Sunday night after seeing the US Open final, and seeing the world's best tennis player have a tantrum and thought that was interesting. The cartoon about Serena is about her poor behaviour on the day, not about race”, he also clarified.

23 times Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams broke her racquet and called the umpire a thief and liar, when she lost the final to Japan’s Naomi Osaka. After the incident, Carlos Ramos, the umpire has announced three codes of violations to her, which also cost her a point penalty and a game penalty.

The incident, also at the same time initiated a debate that she was treated more badly in comparison to other male tennis stars which includes John McEnroe, who was famous for his angry outbursts.

The cartoon by Mark Knight showed a butch and fat lipped Williams jumping over and down on her broken racquet and also having a spat with a dummy. While Osaka was portrayed as petite and feminine.