Former world number one Billie Jean King's appearance at the
podium of the US Open 2023 prize distribution did not go down well with some
fans on social media.
The fourth and final Grand Slam is moving towards its
conclusion as the women’s singles category final was played on Saturday.
In that match, America’s young tennis sensation Coco Gauff
defeated the newly-crowned world number one Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka with a
score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to lift the title.
During the prize distribution ceremony after the match, King
was part of the panel at the podium and it did not go down well with the
fans on the social media platform X — previously known as Twitter.
The 79-year-old is one of the most successful women players
in the history of tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 12 Grand Slams
in her illustrious career.
Her most successful competition was Wimbledon where she
ended up lifting the title six times — in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973 and 1975.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.