Quick, name this profession: long, slim, toned bodies poured into tight fitting - but adorable! - clothing and jumping around in front of a bevy of overeager photographers, magazine editors, and camera crews. Oh yeah, and there's a lot of "grunting" involved (oh, the scandal!).
Did you say modeling? Actually, it's tennis.
With East European beauties such as Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova and Elena Dementieva ruling the press coverage of the sport, one would think they must also be ruling the courts. Not so, say many tennis insiders. Often the best courts and play slots (and hence the better media coverage) are given to the women who are better lookers rather than the ones who are better players. This is even true at the venerable Wimbeldon tournament where officials admitted last night to putting the prettiest female players on the famous center court even if that means relegating the uglier-but-higher-seeded women to the new auxiliary courts. Wimbeldon spokesman Johnny Perkins said unapologetically, "Good looks are a factor." Observe:
In center court we have seed No 59 Maria Kirilenko of Russia
The number 1 seed? You'll find Dinara Safina of Russia way over in court 2.
Back in the center court we have No 28 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania
But where is the number 2 player? The U.S.'s own Venus Williams is back on court 2.
Never having played tennis outside some embarrassing weekend recreations that we won't discuss, I have no idea if being moved to another court or being told flat out by officials that you are homely would affect one's game. Venus and Serena Williams seem to be pretty indomitable despite being stuck out in the hinterlands (I know! They're gorgeous, right?) but if it were me, I think it would mess with my head and probably my game too.
On the flip side, it also makes me wonder if the "pretty" center court girls worry more about which custom Nike tennis dress they will be wearing than if their backhand is stellar. Or, even worse, that they might avoid lifting weights or training hard because they don't want to "bulk up" and look more like the muscular athletes they are than catwalk models.
Of course no similar trend has been noticed among the men. Apparently the tennis officials are just giving the people want they want - and they think we would rather see pretty-but-weaker-players rather than the strong athletes that would show the best athletic competitions.
The question is, are they right? Do you watch tennis for the cute miniskirts and pom-pom socks? (And if so, you've heard of competitive cheerleading, right?) Any of you out there tennis players? Is an overemphasis on looks, like found in ballet and gymnastics, a big part of tennis?
Comments (20)
Emphasis on looks shouldn't be a contender in decisions for sports especially, but in this day and age it is, and we can't stop that.
(For the record, although I don't find either attractive in any way, I wish I was at least half as athletic as Venus or Serena Williams)
Tennis has always been a rich-man's sport, typically. Poor people can play it and like watching it, but I'd be willing to wager there's more privileged people watching than not. Or donating for things, anyway. And if they want to see "sexy" (what? No. I wouldn't touch any of those "good looking" women with a ten foot pole...except maybe the last one) women, they'll see "sexy" women.
I don't watch tennis. Who wants to watch tennis? They hit a ball back and forth while grunting. I'd much rather watch porn.
But at least the people who play centre court know they suck.
I play tennis and quite frankly, I don't give two shits about how I look on the court. I'm there to play my best, not to impress the audience with my clothing attire -- I'd rather impress with my skills. My attire can range from shorts/tanks--skirts/tanks--basketball shorts/t-shirts. I prefer the latter, cuz I don't really like tight clothing when I'm going to sweat. Feels weird. Looks shouldn't be the basis of anything unless well, you're going to a beauty pageant (but that too is also based on personality)
I play tennis. I rather watch ugly good tennis players than pretty sucky ones.
Uhm..
They aren't that great...1 looks average, 2 looks manish, 3 looks OK, and Venus isnt even bad. It's rude if people do that, but hey looks get the attention and if thats what they want. But you should be recognized for your skill since its tennis and you shouldnt be getting judged for your looks. but oh well...
thats life. =]
if i wanted to see hot girls in action i'd watch porn, not tennis
@Olyachka@xanga - I love you...
That was a brilliant deduction.
-Kunoichi
lol "But where is the number 2 player? The U.S.'s own Venus Williams is back on court 2"
And then it shows a picture of Serena Williams!
that just disgraces the sport.
I've been watching the Wimbledon coverage over the past few days. I find it enjoyable, and it inspires me get even more active.
I think the Williams sisters are beautiful.
There was one male tennis player recently who said something along the lines of, "Women can''t actually play tennis. They're just there for their looks." :O
There's no way that such highly ranked female tennis players would give up part of their training to look better. To get so good, you can't sacrifice any endurance and strength, and you have to love the sport more than the certain bulges in your arms.
@tastytimmm@xanga - Haha I know, right? I didn't look at the caption, and I got confused when someone mentioned Venus Williams in the comments.
Thats awful but it's trend that has been going on for a few years now. I assume that this is to get tv ratings because I cannot imagine a true tennis fan giving a flying flip what court who is on as long as they get see the match.
I am surprised that they would put Venus on a auxillary court though because when she and her sister first came on the scene they were media darlings and everyone wanted to see them play. (They used to hold the Bausch and Lomb tournamnet where I live and locals would only shell out the cash for tickets if the Williams sisters were playing. Anyone else and we'd save our money and hope to see them at the grocery store or something while they were in town.) It's also surprising because they used to say they were gorgeous but now the fickle folks in tv land want blonde and thin...and Wimbeldon wants to keep making money.
LOL! that the real life capturing. LOL
I used to play tennis in high school and I remember being completely baffled as to why most of the girls were sooo dainty on and off the courts. This wasn't the pros, so obviously we had to run after our own stray tennis balls...I was the only one who ran after them though. The rest of them would take their sweet time walking.
And when picture time came - and ok, I should be a little empathetic about this since it's got to do with aesthetics and stuff - but the photographer always chose the prettiest girl to be at the front and center and the rest of us *ugly* ones were off to the side. What a load of bullshit.
I love tennis but I did not like the team. I quit after 2 years and just enjoy the sport on my own. :)
Hi Looks matter is its women!You cant deny this fact.But Serena and Venus look OK;totally fit for playing a high power back and forth!Sex appeal Quotient?Yes!ha ha!That matters too!
Sadaboy
Welp, the poor girl sure ain't a looker
i don't understand, i think venus and serena williams are beautiful girls, they have beautiful skin and hair, i love venus's bone structure and serena's skin tone and eyes.....sure there are other pretty girls in tennis - but that speaks to the point that all women, particuarly female athletes, do not have to look the same or fit one mold (i.e. eastern european) to be considered attractive....i honestly would think serena and venus were beautiful if they were regular girls I knew instead of tennis stars....not to mention the fact that they are paragons of health, wonderfully articulate and rank among the most interesting and talented athletes only adds to their universal appeal
i play tennis for my school and i've noticed that some girls on other teams are more focused on their sunglasses, their skirts, and the under armour underneath their uniform than the actual sport. it is a sport that leaves a lot of room for being self-centered. we get to wear whichever sneakers we want, we wear sunglasses, and we're allowed to wear jewelry. it leaves options.
but looks are a huge part of tennis. and i can't say that i haven't been a victim of it. you want to look better than your opponent while you're striving to beat them. it makes the victory twice as sweet.