Brazilian tennis player in trouble for making racist gesture, apologises

Osaka, September 16

Brazil tennis player Guilherme Clezar apologised on Saturday for making what appeared to be a slit-eyed gesture during his country’s Davis Cup tie with Japan.

While denying any racist intent, the 24-year-old could be in hot water following an incident during Friday’s defeat by Yuichi Sugita in a world group playoff in Osaka.

After successfully challenging a line call, an exasperated Clezar stretched his eyes in an apparent criticism of the line judge.

The gesture was caught by local television, but the player insisted he had not meant to insult Japanese people in a post on the Brazilian tennis federation’s Facebook page.

“I want to underline that I never had the slightest intention to be aggressive, racist, prejudiced or anything of the type against Asian people,” said Clezar, who lost the opening rubber 6-2 7-5 7-6 before Brazil fell 0-2 down in the tie. 

The International Tennis Federation declined to comment, although Brazilian media reported that the ITF and Brazilian officials were scheduled to meet on Saturday. Clezar is ranked 244th in the world. — AFP