Russian Tennis Federation president fined for calling Venus and Serena the 'Williams brothers'

Serena and Venus Williams

Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev has been fined $25,000 (£15,500) for referring to Serena and Venus Williams as "the Williams brothers".

As reported by BBC, Tarpischev made the comments in a TV chat show. He was promptly fined by the WTA, in addition to being slapped with a one-year ban from all WTA events.

The comments were demeaning and offensive, according to the WTA chief executive Stacy Allaster. “The remark was insulting, demeaning and has absolutely no place in our sport," Allaster said.

Tarpischev made matters worse for himself by claiming that his statement was a joke. “I didn't want to offend any athlete with my words. I regret that this joke has garnered so much attention. I don't think this incident deserves so much fuss," Tarpischev said in a statement.