The ATP has been forced to publicly apologize after the tennis organization shared a TikTok video showcasing different types of tennis players was deemed “offensive” and “deplorable” by some in the LGBT community.
On the weekend the ATP re-tweeted a TikTok video titled “why tennis players so extra” which mimicked players’ on-court behavior, labeling them as “the moaner,” “the grunter,” “the angry one” and “the sissy.”
The video caused uproar on social media, with many users outraged and offended by the word “sissy” which was treated as a hateful slur toward homosexuals.
It was a Tik Tok video asking why tennis players are so extra and it depicted the moaner, the grunter, the angry player and the sissy. The ATP shared it asking “which one are you?” pic.twitter.com/0eZ29K1j2l
The ATP subsequently offered a grovelling apology, deleting the video and saying that “such language has no place in today’s society.”
“We would like to apologise for an ill-judged retweet over the weekend, which contained offensive language to the LGBTQ+ community and was subsequently deleted,” the statement said.
“Such language has no place in today’s society or the inclusive environment that we strive for in our sport.”
We would like to apologise for an ill-judged retweet over the weekend, which contained offensive language to the LGBTQ+ community and was subsequently deleted. Such language has no place in today’s society or the inclusive environment that we strive for in our sport.
While the majority of comments hailed the body’s decision to delete the controversial tweet, others said that there was no need to apologize given the inoffensive nature of the video, stressing that some people are simply “too sensitive.”
“As an LGBT person, I took no offence. People are too sensitive nowadays imo,” one person wrote.
As an LGBT person, I took no offence. People are too sensitive nowadays imo
“Can everyone just let this small incident go by, especially after an apology, when there are much bigger problems currently going on around the globe,” another user added.
Can everyone just let this small incident go by, especially after an apology, when there are much bigger problems currently going on around the globe
“Apologies? For what? Enough, please,” one more comment read.
Apologies? For what? Enough, please.
“Wow, nowadays people cry for everything, you just cannot make jokes, its sad,” another user lamented.
wow, nowadays people cry for everything, you just cannot make jokes, its sad
