'Disrespectful and pervy': Sexism backlash after commentator asks embarrassed Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard to 'twirl' at the Australian Open... But Channel 7 says he doesn't work for them
- The 20-year-old player was asked to 'twirl' by interviewer Ian Cohen who was holding a Channel 7 microphone
- Bouchard had just beaten the Netherlands' Kiki Bertens at Melbourne Park
- 'I don't know, an old guy asking you to twirl. It was funny,' Bouchard commented after the incident which has been labelled 'sexist'
- Bouchard has achieved the highest world ranking ever for a Canadian player
PUBLISHED: 21:00, 21 January 2015 | UPDATED: 00:25, 22 January 2015
A Channel 7 tennis commentator has caused outrage at the Australian Open after asking Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard to ‘twirl’ on live TV.
The 20-year-old was stunned as she was asked by commentator Ian Cohen during her post-match interview: ‘Can you give us a twirl?’.
Bouchard had just won an impressive 6-0, 6-3 match against Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in just 54 minutes at Melbourne Park.
Channel 7 distanced themselves from the interview when contacted by Daily Mail Australia, saying that Cohen was 'working For Tennis Australia'.
Responding to the unusual request which has been slammed on social media and in the international press, including her native Canada, as ‘sexist’, Bouchard said: ‘A twirl, like a pirouette, here you go.’
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Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard was asked to 'twirl' during a post-match interview at the Australian Open in Melbourne
Channel 7 claims Ian Cohen doesn't work for them and that the vision wasn't broadcast on Seven - but he's clearly holding a network microphone and the footage uploaded to the network's website carries a +7 watermark
She played ball but cringed as she twirled in front of a cheering court full of fans
Bouchard laughed awkwardly as she twirled on the court where she had just won her match
The shocked Canadian laughed, twirled and then covered her face with her hands before waving at the cheering audience.
Cohen made the request for a twirl after he noticed Bouchard had commented about Serena William’s Australian Open outfit on Twitter.
‘Last night you tweeted that you loved Serena’s outfit. Obviously the fluoro is working for you girls at the moment. She was kind enough to give us a twirl, can you give us a twirl and tell us about your outfit,’ he said.
After twirling, Bouchard awkwardly noted: 'I mean I have to say I think Serena's outfit is the best, even better than mine, I have to give her that.’
Last year Bouchard, when was asked at the Australian Open who her dream date was, she replied: 'Justin Bieber'.
Canada's Eugenie Bouchard reacts as she plays against Netherland's Kiki Bertens during their women's singles match on day three of the 2015 Australian Open
Interviewer Ian Cohen tweeted on Tuesday ahead of his interview with Genie Bouchard wishing her luck for her game
After the twirling incident, Marsha Boyd, wrote on Twitter: ‘We need more people to stand up against sexism'
Kiri Adams expressed her shock at the request saying 'fancy asking Eugenie Bouchard "to give us a twirl"'
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada serves to Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands during their second round match
Bouchard has achieved the highest world ranking ever for a Canadian player
The 20-year-old is considered the next big star in women’s tennis and broke into the top 10 for the first time last year after reaching the finals at Wimbledon
The No. 7-ranked player, who described herself as a ‘perfectionist’, later spoke about the unusual incident at a press conference, calling it ‘very unexpected.’
‘I don't know, an old guy asking you to twirl. It was funny,’ she added.
A Channel 7 spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'The interview, which didn’t air on Channel 7 or 7TWO, was in this instance conducted by a commentator who works for the host broadcaster, Tennis Australia.
'The host broadcaster provides match coverage and some commentary and interviews, which is seen on our live digital streaming service.'
Cohen was clearly holding a Channel 7 microphone and the interview appeared on Channel 7's sport website featuring their logo.
Bouchard has achieved the highest world ranking ever for a Canadian player and is considered the next big star in women’s tennis.
She broke into the top 10 for the first time last year after reaching the finals at Wimbledon, where she lost to Petra Kvitova but became the first Canadian to appear in a Grand Slam final.
Bouchard has 25 wins and seven losses in majors and is playing in just her eighth Grand Slam event.
Canadian journalist Signa Butler said: ‘Can we expect Federer to be asked same question?'
Twitter user Val showed her confusion over the twirling request calling it 'disrespectful and pervy'
After the twirling incident, one shocked tennis fan on Twitter, Marsha Boyd, wrote: ‘We need more people to stand up against sexism. No one is asking @rogerfederer to twirl. Don't ask @geniebouchard!’
Val Andrea Way commented: ‘What the?? Would he have asked a Male pro tennis player to "give us a twirl"?? How disrespectful and well pervy.’
‘Male presenter at @AustralianOpen asks professional female tennis player @geniebouchard after win to "give us a twirl". WTF?,’ Meg said on the social media site.
And Canadian journalist Signa Butler said: ‘Can we expect Federer to be asked same question? Pathetic. On-court presenter asks Eugenie Bouchard to “twirl”.’
Bouchard has 25 wins and seven losses in majors and is playing in just her eighth Grand Slam event
She takes a "selfie" using a spectator's phone after defeating Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands
Her fan sent Bouchard the koala selfie on Twitter which she took with his phone. She commented: 'Can't believe you threw your phone at me'
Meanwhile it was a good night for Australia's young tennis guns, with Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic and Sam Groth all enjoying victories.
In the women's draw, Jarmila Gajdosova went down fighting to Simona Halep in straight sets.
Rafael Nadal also battled his way into the third round with a 6-2 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 7-5 over Tim Smyczek.
Nick Kyrgios had a tough five-set win to progress to the third round
Kyrgios attracted some criticism after the match when he was perceived as snippy and cocky in an interview on the court
Bernard Tomic also made it through to the next round after defeating German Philipp Kohlschreiber
The 22-year-old put away the German 22nd seed 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6
That's a bit cheeky! Kohlschreiber sneaks one back through his legs
Having some fun: Tomic was willed on by the home crowd and exhausted all his energy to win in four sets
Cooling off: Tomic takes a break between service games in the warm January air at Melbourne Park
C'mon Aussie! The boisterous home crowd cheered on local favourites like Tomic
Relief! Tomic is through to the third round of his home tournament
Rafael Nadal also battled the temperature to get through to the next round
Nadal kept his cool though and saw off Tim Smyczek in five sets after trailing 2-1
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2920538/Canadian-tennis-star-Eugenie-Bouchard-embarrassed-old-guy-TV-presenter-asks-outfit-Australian-Open.html#ixzz3PXXd2vnN
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