Twitter erupts with claims that Serena Williams’ Sports Illustrated cover was photoshopped
Sports Illustrated announced on Monday that Serena Williams had been chosen as the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year. However, many Twitter users felt disillusioned by Williams’ cover on the annual Sports Illustrated issue magazine and claimed that the athlete's legs were edited to make them appear thinner.
On the magazine cover, Williams sits on a throne wearing a black lace leotard and black stiletto pumps. The 21-time grand slam champion looked stunning, but critics were quick to point out that her legs looked different.
Someone put @Lupita_Nyongo's legs on @serenawilliams' #SportsIllustrated cover. #BlackLegsMatter
— Susan Miz ♀♀ (@SusanMizrahi) December 15, 2015#SerenaWilliams Winning #SportspersonOfTheYear is well deserved no doubt. But cmon . I've seen her legs. And they ain't them
— RC (@russcooper72) December 14, 2015Nobody mad sports illustrated shrunk Serena williams? Her legs aren't that small.
— kris paul ✌ (@2stepsAhead__) December 14, 2015However, one Twitter user had the perfect response to the alleged Photoshop editing. The fan came to the defence of Williams and said that Sports Illustrated shouldn’t have edited Williams’ legs because the tennis star is confident in her own skin.
Serena Williams is not ashamed of her body. She wears bikinis all the time. So why did SI feel they needed to shrink her muscular legs?
— commonsense (@commonsense258) December 14, 2015Although a number of Twitter users questioned Williams’ magazine cover, “Scandal” star Kerry Washington praised the tennis champion for slaying the cover. Washington also took to Twitter to congratulate Williams for being named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.
YES! LOOOOOOOVE. @serenawilliams that @SInow cover is EVERYTHING. #SportspersonOfTheYear #WhoRunsTheWorld
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) December 14, 2015Meanwhile, Williams also shared a snap of her Sports Illustrated cover on Instagram and expressed her gratitude. She is the first individual female athlete in 12 years to be given the recognition.
“For @SportsIllustrated to recognize my hardwork, my dedication, and my sheer determination gives me hope to continue on and do better,” Williams wrote on Instagram. “This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team, I am beyond honoured.”
Williams was also recently awarded by Women’s Tennis Association as Player of the Year. She ended the season as World No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year. She won five titles, including the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
Contact the writer at feedback@IBTimes.com.au, or let us know your thoughts below.
