An Australian TV reporter asked tennis star Eugenie Bouchard to do a twirl at the Australian Open, and it set off a firestorm of criticism. But Bouchard has come forward saying she didn’t have a problem with twirling for the cameras.
According to the Associated Press , via Fox News , the reporter asked Bouchard to do a twirl so she can show off a new dress. Bouchard did so, and then laughed and seemed to be embarrassed by the incident. Bouchard later described how she felt about the incident.
“It was very unexpected.”
But the question received quite a bit of criticism online, with many finding it to be sexist . One of those was former tennis player Billie Jean King , who expressed her feelings toward the issue on both of her social media accounts.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 22, 2015
According to USA Today , the 20-year-old Bouchard addressed the incident to reporters, saying she wasn’t upset about being asked to twirl.
“I stay out of this stuff. I’m fine with being asked to twirl if they’re going to ask the guys to flex their muscles and stuff.”
Eugenie Bouchard added that she’s going to move on from the incident and work on something that is more important to her.
“Personally, I’m not offended. No, I think it was an in-the-moment thing and it was funny. Yeah, I mean, it’s funny how it’s taken (on) a life of its own. I’m just going to focus on my tennis.”
Bouchard went through a similar situation last year, when a different reporter asked her which celebrity she had an interest in dating. Her response was Justin Bieber, which drew controversy itself. But the question seemed to receive more controversy and was also deemed to be sexist.
Eugenie Bouchard reiterated that the “twirl” question didn’t bother her, and neither did the one about which celebrity she’d date.
“[Reporters] try to ask funny questions. It’s entertaining, I guess. I don’t mind it. People can think what they want about it, but I just answer how I want and do what I want. I’m fine with it.”
However, Eugenie Bouchard wants people to take an interest in more important things about her, such as how she has done at the Australian Open.
“I’m happy that I’ve played three solid matches here, and we could definitely be a little more focused on that.”
Do you find it sexist that Eugenie Bouchard was asked to twirl?
[Image via Tennis World ]