'Give us a twirl' gets backhand

A sexism row has erupted at the Australian Open after a TV commentator asked World No1 Serena Williams and Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard to "give us a twirl" in a post-match interview.

Bouchard had just beaten Kiki Bertens 6-0, 6-3 in a second-round match at Melbourne Park when she was interviewed by Ian Cohen, an Australian Channel 7 tennis commentator, on court.

Cohen asked Bouchard - one of the favourites for the first grand slam of the year - to twirl, to which the player replied: "A twirl? Like a pirouette? Here you go."

The incident immediately provoked a backlash on social media, with fans and pundits pointing out that a male player would never be asked the same question.

Bouchard later said: "It was very unexpected. I mean, yeah, I don't know. An old guy asking you to twirl, it was funny."

Channel 7 told the UK's Daily Mail: "The interview, which didn't air on Channel 7 or 7TWO, was in this instance conducted by a commentator who works for the host broadcaster, Tennis Australia.

"The host broadcaster provides match coverage and some commentary and interviews, which is seen on our live digital streaming service."

Williams was also asked to do a twirl on court, but was reluctant to discuss suggestions of sexism.

Williams, who beat Vera Zvonareva in the second round yesterday, revealed that the same request was made of her.

She said she did not enjoy the experience but wasn't sure whether the request was sexist.

The American said: "A commentator asked me to twirl. I wouldn't ask Rafa [Nadal] or Roger [Federer] to twirl. Whether it's sexist or not, I don't know. I can't answer that."

Seventh-seeded Bouchard said: "I didn't really want to twirl because I was just like, you know, I don't need all the extra attention. But, yeah, it was fine.

"I don't think and look that deep into it. Life is far too short to focus on that.

"We have so many other problems we want to deal with that we should focus on.

"Whether I twirl or not, it's not the end of the world. It's about being positive and just moving forward."