Serena Williams' GQ cover divides social media
Fans usually celebrate their icons being featured on the covers of internationally-acclaimed publications, but that wasn't the case for some supporters of Serena Williams after she made the cover of GQ magazine.
Serena Williams dominated headlines in September when she got into a heated argument with the referee during the US Open.
Referee Brian Early accused the tennis champ of cheating by accepting on-court coaching. Not only did Williams deny the allegation, she also demanded an apology.
This time, Williams is trending because people are offended by GQ's cover title. The publication put quotation marks around the word 'woman' in the title.
WHY IS WOMAN IN QUOTATION MARKS????? WTF??? ⚡️ “GQ cover featuring Serena Williams as Woman of the Year sparks controversy”https://t.co/5sFWmFQfzq
— akamaigirl (@akamaigirl1) November 13, 2018
Soooo is this saying she’s a man? Hiding it in plain sight! GQ cover featuring Serena Williams as Woman of the Year sparks controversy https://t.co/e1kynEApXK
— M.A.B.I.A. (@TsunamiSlim) November 13, 2018
A teeny, tiny tweak, and they might be flooded with praise rn instead of this. GQ needs to take a minute to realize what their covers say about them & what their covers might inadvertently say about the people they’re trying to celebrate. That is all.
— Dingo Dame (@dingodowndame) November 13, 2018
But a clear marketing objective shouldn’t have to be clarified. GQ has sent a confusing message with this cover.
— Dingo Dame (@dingodowndame) November 13, 2018
It wasn't just the quotation marks that got Twitter talking.
Other people questioned if Williams even deserved the honour of GQ's Woman of the Year after her much-publicised outburst at the US Open.
I don't understand why has GQ put Serena Williams as " Woman of the year" on their cover? What's her achievement this year? She didn't win a single slam.
— 🕵️ (@theBlackkSky) November 13, 2018
I'm not sure if taking pregnancy break, making comeback after that is an achievement! We're talking tennis here not feminism!
So GQ decided to name Serena Williams Woman of the Year
— Austin “Badg3rman“ Smith (@TheBadg3rman) November 13, 2018
- after she cheated in the US Open final
- verbally abused the referee
- physically abused her own equipment
- didn't take responsibility, said it's society's fault.
Not a good role model. https://t.co/wOZWwDuElc
So a washed up, entitled, hysterical tennis star who abuses match officials is your "woman" of the year, GQ? Really? Couldn't find anyone better?
— Seeker of Truth (@Latent_Envoy) November 13, 2018
Don't care about GQ, but the only thing Serena Williams deserves to win is tantrum of the year.
— Joe Bagadonuts ★ (@anxietydown) November 13, 2018
It wasn't all doom and gloom, with just as many fans congratulating Williams on yet another achievement.
well, I think it's 100% awesome.
— sunny day (@littlelostsunny) November 13, 2018
⚡️ “GQ cover featuring Serena Williams as Woman of the Year sparks controversy”https://t.co/YajMMz7q32
I’d vote for Serena as Woman of One Hundred Years.
— ✡️Doggerbank CarlJones✡️ (@doggerbank) November 13, 2018
GQ cover featuring Serena Williams as Woman of the Year sparks controversy https://t.co/w9kbyIFTyZ
WE LOVE A QUEEN IN THIS HOUSE! @serenawilliams
— Grace O'Deay 🎬 (@GraceODeay) November 13, 2018
GQ cover featuring Serena Williams as Woman of the Year sparks controversy https://t.co/hUCQNXTv1H