"I don't care to know what she said, I'm here to talk about tennis" - When Serena Williams ignored Annabel Croft's comments about her 'huge backside'
Serena Williams refused to respond to negative remarks about her body made by former British tennis pro Annabel Croft.
During the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, Croft, who was working as a broadcaster at the time, made guests uncomfortable by describing the reigning champion Williams as having a "huge backside". The incident took place during a corporate lunch.
Williams made it to the fourth round at the grasscourt Major that year. She beat Mandy Minella, Caroline Garcia and Kimiko Date, but was knocked out by Sabine Lisicki. The American attended a press conference after her loss and stated that she hadn't heard Croft's comments and didn't care about them at all.
"To be honest, I didn't hear the comments. I don't know exactly what she said. Someone in my camp told me I might be asked a question. That was on Saturday," Williams said.
"I don't care to know what she said. I'm here to talk about tennis. If you guys want to ask me about today's match or anything that relates to tennis and how I hit the ball, how I didn't hit the ball, I'm more than willing to answer those questions," she added.
Annabel Croft later clarified that her words were taken out of context, as they were meant to be a joke. She also complimented the 23-time Major champion, calling her bottom "magnificent."
"I apologise to anyone who might have taken offence, but it was meant as a harmless piece of banter. Serena has a magnificent bottom that every woman should aspire to," Croft said (via Metro).
Serena Williams on Wimbledon 2013 loss: "I didn't do what I do best...had a little hesitation"
Following her fourth-round loss to Sabine Lisicki at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, Serena Williams told the media that she wasn't able to play her best tennis against the German. She mentioned having "a little hesitation" during big points in the match.
"Well, I think that I, uhm, didn't play the big points good enough. I didn't do what I do best. I think I had a little hesitation, and that explains it," Williams said.
"I just definitely feel like I could have went for it a little more on some of the shots. Definitely should have made some shots," she added.
The 42-year-old then praised Lisicki, saying her opponent played "really well." Williams also admitted that she knew winning was not going to be easy against the German and acknowledged she had room to improve.
"I think Sabine played really well, as well. I mean, she always plays really well at Wimbledon, so I knew going in it would be a tough match. But, you know, there's huge room for improvement for me," Serena Williams said.