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Serena's classy response to Wimbledon 'sexism' storm

Serena Williams has responded to claims she was a victim of sexism in a controversial move from Wimbledon organisers.

Some fans and tennis pundits were unhappy with the decision to reschedule the women’s final on Saturday after Kevin Anderson’s six-hour marathon with John Isner caused unexpected chaos.

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A record-breaking Friday at Wimbledon ended with the second men’s semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic being suspended because of an 11pm curfew imposed by local council.

After the six hour and 36 minute epic between Anderson and Isner, Nadal didn’t hit the first serve of his match against Djokovic until 8.09pm.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Angelique Kerber of Germany is congratulated by Serena Williams after winning the Ladies’ Singles title on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Angelique Kerber of Germany is congratulated by Serena Williams after winning the Ladies’ Singles title on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images)

And to the surprise of no one, they didn’t come close to finishing after two hours and 54 minutes of play, meaning they had to come back on Saturday.

Organisers decided to finish the Nadal-Djokovic match first-up on Saturday, pushing the women’s final back.

That decision left many fuming that the men were being given preferential treatment.

WTA insider Courtney Nguyen was especially furious about the the situation.

However Serena has delivered a measured and logical response to those crying foul.

“I’m completely a supporter of women, and women’s sport obviously,” Williams said to metro.co.uk.

“Honestly, I just feel like it was a necessary evil.

“Not knowing how this match would go, two hours, three hours, I don’t think they could put the men’s semi-final behind the women because they have to come back the next day.

“If the tables were turned, hopefully they would have done the same with the women.

“If you look at it that way, it was probably really the only way to schedule it, yeah.”

Kerber agreed, saying officials had “made the right decision”.

with agencies