Did Wimbledon crowds disrespect Serena Williams?

Fans at Wimbledon unleashed a huge roar when Serena Williams lost in the fourth round of the tournament on Monday. Was it because they were cheering for her vanquisher, Marion Bartoli, or because they were reveling in the defeat of the four-time champion?

The same question could be asked of fans on Centre Court who erupted in a "huge cheer" when news of Serena's loss was announced.

To wit, when Venus Williams lost her fourth-round match, fans showered her with cheers.

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Comments

[DSG]

Let's not stir the pot, now, Teep.

[Jenny]

I didn't see the match, so I don't know. The Brits do appreciate an underdog who fights a dominant powerful opponent, but I've always felt Venus is the more popular.

[M]

I think Venus is very popular, and I think the Brits do appreciate an underdog (though what it takes to be more an underdog after coming back from two surgeries and blood clot removal from the lungs, I can't imagine).

Serena had a lovely exit interview

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2011-06-27/201106271309176461611.html

and to me, this

This early departure leaves Serena to focus on her training and getting back into the groove, which her doctors have given her carte blanche to do, saying she "can train as much as I want to".

was the best news in it.

We certainly look forward to welcoming her here.

[Jenny]

"(though what it takes to be more an underdog after coming back from two surgeries and blood clot removal from the lungs, I can't imagine)"

I think most tennis fans sitting out there are into the here and now and who don't necessesarily read up on the personal background stuff that we do, therefore imho Serena would not be considered an underdog.

[Jenny]

Apologies for the typo - necessarily

[M]

I guess that would surprise me if only since she's been gone for so long.
But I guess that makes sense, if they're fans that only follow Wimbledon and not all four tournaments, since she was the defending champion.
Hmm.

[Esky]

Sometimes it surprises me too. People love to see William sisters but not only at Wimbledon every where else, even at US open I've noticed how people cheer their opponents more.But yesterday I thought crowed was very fair.They were cheering both of them and Serena had a very humble face too acknowledging Bartoli's amazing shots.

[Dee]

It's me accidently used Esky's user.

[Jenny]

As said previously, I didn't see the match. However, my neighbour is a Serena and Venus fan, she watched the match and 'phoned me to say Serena had just lost, at no time did she comment on any biased crowd behaviour, or that Serena was upset, only that the 'other girl played well'. The crowd were clearly behind Tsonga yesterday, they've seen him before, he's a popular extrovert showman, at no time did I feel the crowd disrespect the quieter, more introvert Ferrer or I would have been down on them like a ton of bricks! Infact Jo-Willy himself waited until David left the court before he celebrated.

[DSG]

I saw the match and IMO the crowd cheered the winner at the end of the match... anything else would have been odd. I am really surprised anyone could read an anti-Serena bias into that. It was what it

[sperry]

After the last point, I was not paying full attention... but I think booing or something would have caught my attention. I saw nothing of note.