ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)- Pinagmulta si Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev ng $25,000 ng WTA Tour at sinuspinde mula sa pagkakasangkot sa tour ng isang taon nang kuwestyunin ang gender nina Serena at Venus Williams sa Russian television.

Sinabi kahapon ng WTA Tour na ang $25,000 fine ay isang maximum na pinapayagan sa ilalim ng panuntunan ng tour at hangad nilang matanggal si Tarpischev bilang chairman ng Kremlin Cup sa loob ng isang taon. Sinabi rin ng tour na kailangang humingi ng personal na paumanhin si Tarpischev kina Venus at Serena Williams.

‘’Mr. Tarpischev’s statements questioning their genders tarnish our great game and two of our champions,’’ pahayag ni WTA Tour chairman/CEO Stacey Allaster sa isang statement.

‘’His derogatory remarks deserve to be condemned and he will be sanctioned.’’

Nanawagan din si Dave Haggerty, ang presidente at chairman ng U.S. Tennis Association, kay Tarpischev na mag-isyu ng pormal na paumanhin sa magkapatid.

‘’As the president of the Russian Tennis Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Tarpischev is expected to conduct himself with the highest degree of integrity and sportsmanship,’’ paliwanag ni Haggerty sa statement. ‘’Unfortunately, his comments do not embody either of these traits and in fact were reprehensible.’’