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Commentator under fire for 'disgusting' Serena Williams jibe

A leading tennis commentator has been slammed for ‘disgusting’ on-air comments about Serena Williams.

The controversial moment occurred during Roger Federer’s shock loss to Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals on Sunday.

The normally cool Swiss picked up a rare code violation for ball abuse in the first set after Nishikori produced a staggering backhand winner down the line.

Federer blasted the ball into the crowd in anger, drawing the ire of the chair umpire in the process.

Federer wasn’t too happy. Image: ESPN
Federer wasn’t too happy. Image: ESPN

Fans were shocked by the rare outburst from Federer, but they were even more shocked by comments from TV pundit Andrew Castle.

The British commentator made reference to Serena’s infamous meltdown in the US Open final, comparing it to Federer’s outburst.

“I don’t think we will see a Serena Williams meltdown and call him a liar and a thief,” Castle said after Federer questioned the chair umpire.

Serena Williams. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Serena Williams. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Many fans felt that Castle’s comments about Serena were completely unnecessary, with one social media user labelling them ‘disgusting’.

Serena caused a major stir during her loss in the final at Flushing Meadows, receiving three code violations and getting docked a service game.

She called umpire Carlos Ramos a ‘thief’ after the game was docked, furious that she had been accused of receiving coaching from the stands.

Federer was also less than impressed with his umpire on Sunday.

“He thought I was angry,” Federer said afterwards, when asked what he had said to umpire Damian Steiner.

“I wasn’t. Now I’m angry because I lost, but … He knows me very well apparently, or he thought so.”

The loss marks the first time that Federer has ever lost in straight-sets at the ATP Finals.