It seems the old adage "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" has yet to register with Ion Tiriac. The 81-year-old Romanian, building upon a reputation as a certified hater, made some choice comments about Serena Williams ahead of the 2021 season.
Tiriac not-so-politely suggested that she hang up her racquets and call it a career.
"At this age and the weight she is now, she does not move as easily as she did 15 years ago,” Tiriac said on a Romanian TV show. "Serena was a sensational player. If she had a little decency, she would retire. From all points of view.”
When Serena's husband Alexis Ohanian heard wind of Tiriac's comments, he was quick to clap back.
Safe to say no one gives a damn what Ion Țiriac thinks.
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
But the Reddit co-founder was not done, and made a New Year's resolution that we should all strive for.
2021 and no holding back when a racist/sexist clown with a platform comes for my family.
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
After some research, he was able to conclude that his three-year-old daughter has won the same amount of Grand Slam titles as Tiriac (Serena won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant).
Had to Google it... turns out my 3 year old has more Grand Slam victories than this ???????? pic.twitter.com/Q2pgsNWFAj
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
Tiriac, a former pro who won 22 titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 8, is the tournament director of Madrid. Serena, the owner of 73 titles, including 23 Grand Slams, has won Madrid twice.
The 39-year-old will soon be heading to Melbourne, and though she hasn't won a major since 2017, she has appeared in four major finals and one semifinal in the past three years.