Vaidisova brushes aside comments

Serena Williams lashed out at fellow American player Justin Gimelstob on Friday after he launched a lurid tirade of abuse which included calling Russian beauty Anna Kournikova "a bitch". Williams, who reached the last 16 of Wimbledon on Friday, said Gimelstob's comments were unnecessary. "Being pro-women's rights, I just think we've come farther than to be referred to like this," said Williams. "Anna is a great girl.

For anyone to say that about her is not professional. It's just totally uncalled for. Unless you really know these people, you talk to these people, you never know what people go through. It's not good to say those things about people."

World number 22 Vaidisova, speaking after her third round victory over Casey Dellacqua at Wimbledon, insisted Gimelstob's comments were just a joke that had backfired. "I know his sense of humour a little bit. I know he kind of talks like that a little bit. So I can cut him some slack," Vaidisova said. "I have briefly seen it. I know Justin.

"He's a very nice guy. I heard he apologised for it. I think it's just you say something and you don't really mean it. It happens."