Serena Williams is looking for answers about how a bizarre meme of tennis fans “blacking up” their faces in tribute to Australian star Nick Kyrgios has been allowed to thrive at Wimbledon.
The controversial and flamboyant Kyrgios had inspired the odd trend of people posting pictures on the Internet of their faces smeared in the popular Aussie spreads Vegemite and Nutella. The resulting effect has disturbing racial undertones.
“Oh, gosh. Really? I didn’t know that,” Williams said Monday, according to Agence France-Presse, when asked about the fad. “I think you’re better asking the fans that question. Maybe they can give you some insight. And let me know, I’d be interested to know.”
Kyrgios, 22, tweeted his blessing to what some may interpret as a politically incorrect gesture.
One fan, Mitchell McConachy, attempted to show his support for his tennis idol by telling Kyrgios he would volunteer to cover his face in Vegemite if the rising star replied to him through his official Facebook page.
Kyrgios was all for it, to say the least. Then it just snowballed.
Then a small legion of fans followed his example by covering their faces with Nutella. He told another fan she was “awesome” for covering her face in the hazelnut spread.
Kyrgios’ Wimbledon run ended Monday in a fourth-round defeat by Richard Gasquet.
With News.com.au