Bouchard: I'll twirl if the guys flex
Eugenie Bouchard said she was not offended by being asked to "give a twirl" in an on-court interview - as long as male players were asked to flex their muscles.
Bouchard and Serena Williams were asked to spin around to show off their outfits earlier this week - Canadian Bouchard following her second-round win over Kiki Bertens.
It prompted an angry response on social media and accusations of sexism levelled at Tennis Australia commentator Ian Cohen, who made the request.
Twelve-time grand slam singles winner Billie-Jean King wrote on Twitter: ''The Australian Open interviewer asking the women to 'twirl' on court is out of line. This is truly sexist. If you ask the women, you have to ask the guys to twirl as well.''
Speaking after her third-round win over France's Caroline Garcia on Friday, Bouchard said: "I stay out of this stuff, but I heard a little bit. My friends are texting me saying I dance and twirl well and stuff as jokes.
"I think it was just kind of funny. You know, I'm fine with being asked to twirl if they ask the guys to flex their muscles and stuff.
"Personally I'm not offended. I think it was an in-the-moment thing and it was funny. But it's just funny how it's taken a life of its own. I'm just going to try to focus on my tennis."
Last year Bouchard was asked by a different interviewer - former British player Sam Smith - who she would like to date if she could choose anyone in the world.
"They try to ask funny questions," the 20-year-old added on Friday. "It's entertaining, I guess. I don't mind it. People can think what they want about it, but I just answer how I want and do what I want. I'm fine with it."
Tennis Australia did not immediately respond to requests to comment on Cohen's questions, but it was former Australian doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge who interviewed Bouchard following her 7-5 6-0 win over Garcia.
Woodbridge stuck strictly to tennis questions, asking Bouchard about the match, returning to Melbourne after reaching the semi-finals last year and her potential opponent in the last 16.
