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'Battle Of The Moms' Headline For Serena Williams-Evgeniya Rodina Game Causes Uproar

jenna amatulli

A Canadian newspaper caused quite a racket on Sunday when it referred to Monday’s Wimbledon match between Serena Williams and Evgeniya Rodina as a “battle of the moms.”

The Globe and Mail’s headline ― “Serena Williams to play Evgeniya Rodina in battle of the moms at Wimbledon” ― appeared atop an Associated Press story by sports writer Howard Fendrich.

“When Serena Williams steps out on Centre Court to play Evgeniya Rodina in Wimbledon’s fourth round on Monday, it will be a rare meeting of Mom vs. Mom,” the article begins. “Such matchups could happen with greater frequency as parenthood becomes increasingly popular on the women’s tennis tour.”

Fendrich’s story goes on to describe the experiences of a number of female tennis players who have children.

Williams “has spoken openly about a health scare during childbirth. About gaining weight while breast-feeding. About the joys of bringing her child onsite to a tournament for the first time. About the difficulty of dividing her time between family and forehands,” Fendrich writes, also noting that “one concern raised by some of the mothers in interviews during Wimbledon was that not enough tournaments offer childcare facilities, the way the four Grand Slams do.”

In a statement to HuffPost, the AP said it did not write the headline featured in The Globe and Mail, and added that “customers frequently put their own headlines on top of AP stories.”

A number of other publications also running the AP’s article featured a similar headline. “Serena Williams-Evgeniya Rodina Wimbledon match will feature two moms,” said the Star Tribune. “Wimbledon: Williams vs. Rodina is matchup of moms,” said the Santa Cruz Sentinel. “Williams vs. Rodina is matchup of Mom vs. Mom at Wimbledon,” said The Washington Post ― the same headline that appears on The Associated Press’ own site.

It was The Globe and Mail’s headline, however, that came in for widespread derision on Twitter:

Reached by HuffPost on Monday, Fendrich declined to comment on the record. The Globe and Mail did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fendrich’s story wasn’t the only one to emphasize the motherhood angle of Monday’s match. In a story for The Daily Telegraph, “Wimbledon 2018: The mother of all battles as Evgeniya Rodina prepares to face fellow mum Serena Williams,” Sam Dean also wrote about Rodina’s experience as a parent and athlete.

Fun fact, news organizations: Women can be more than mothers!

This story has been updated with a statement from The Associated Press.

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1990

Venus and Serena Williams with President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.
Venus and Serena Williams with President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.

1992

Playing tennis in Florida. 
Playing tennis in Florida. 

1998

At the beach in Key Biscayne, Florida.
At the beach in Key Biscayne, Florida.

1998

A portrait taken during the 1998 U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Center.
A portrait taken during the 1998 U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Center.

1999

In Paris on Feb. 28, 1999.
In Paris on Feb. 28, 1999.

1999

Wearing traditional Chinese dresses, called cheongsam, at the players' party for the Super Power Challenge Cup on Jan. 6, 1999. 
Wearing traditional Chinese dresses, called cheongsam, at the players' party for the Super Power Challenge Cup on Jan. 6, 1999. 

2000

At the Champions Ball after the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 9, 2000.
At the Champions Ball after the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 9, 2000.

2000

At the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 6, 2000. 
At the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 6, 2000. 

2000

At the Women's Sports Foundation Gala in New York City on Oct. 16, 2000. 
At the Women's Sports Foundation Gala in New York City on Oct. 16, 2000. 

2000

At Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award ceremony in New York City on Dec. 12, 2000.
At Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award ceremony in New York City on Dec. 12, 2000.

2001

At the Essence Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 27, 2001.
At the Essence Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 27, 2001.

2001

With Chris Tucker at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sept. 10, 2001.
With Chris Tucker at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sept. 10, 2001.

2001

Attending the Smirnoff Ice Victory Party in Las Vegas on Nov. 17. 2001.
Attending the Smirnoff Ice Victory Party in Las Vegas on Nov. 17. 2001.

2002

Walking in the Super Bowl XXXVI Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show  in New Orleans on Feb. 2, 2002.
Walking in the Super Bowl XXXVI Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show  in New Orleans on Feb. 2, 2002.

2002

At the 2002 ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California.
At the 2002 ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California.

2002

Walking back to the baseline while playing Corina Morariu during the U.S. Open on Aug. 26, 2002. 
Walking back to the baseline while playing Corina Morariu during the U.S. Open on Aug. 26, 2002. 

2003

Attending the premiere of "Bringing Down The House" on March 2, 2003, in Hollywood, California.
Attending the premiere of "Bringing Down The House" on March 2, 2003, in Hollywood, California.

2003

Appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on July 15, 2003, in Burbank, California.
Appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on July 15, 2003, in Burbank, California.

2003

Attending the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
Attending the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

2004

Attending the CAA party at Variety's Beach Club during the 57th International Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2004, in Cannes, France.
Attending the CAA party at Variety's Beach Club during the 57th International Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2004, in Cannes, France.

2004

Wearing three different outfits during her first three matches at the 2004 French Open in Paris.
Wearing three different outfits during her first three matches at the 2004 French Open in Paris.

2004

Posing backstage at the 12th Annual ESPY Awards on July 14, 2004, in Hollywood, California.
Posing backstage at the 12th Annual ESPY Awards on July 14, 2004, in Hollywood, California.

2004

Warming up in her match against Lindsey-Lee Waters at the 2004 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 1, 2004.
Warming up in her match against Lindsey-Lee Waters at the 2004 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 1, 2004.

2004

Returning a shot during her match against Sandra Kleinova during the US Open on Aug. 30, 2004. 
Returning a shot during her match against Sandra Kleinova during the US Open on Aug. 30, 2004. 

2004

Attending the "VH1 - Big in '04" on Dec.1, 2004, in Los Angeles.
Attending the "VH1 - Big in '04" on Dec.1, 2004, in Los Angeles.

2005

Posing for a portrait in 2005 in Los Angeles.
Posing for a portrait in 2005 in Los Angeles.

2005

Christening the $5,000 Evian bath in the presidential suite at the Hotel Victor on Feb. 23, 2005, in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christening the $5,000 Evian bath in the presidential suite at the Hotel Victor on Feb. 23, 2005, in Miami Beach, Florida.

2006

At Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2006 in New York City.
At Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2006 in New York City.

2007

Posing with the trophy in the players' garden after winning the Australian Open women's final match against Maria Sharapova on Jan. 27, 2007, in Melbourne.
Posing with the trophy in the players' garden after winning the Australian Open women's final match against Maria Sharapova on Jan. 27, 2007, in Melbourne.

2007

At MTV's Total Request Live on Aug. 28, 2007, in New York City.
At MTV's Total Request Live on Aug. 28, 2007, in New York City.

2008

At the Luca Luca Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 8, 2008, in New York City.
At the Luca Luca Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 8, 2008, in New York City.

2009

Arriving at the 2009 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Arriving at the 2009 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.

2009

Attending the Gucci for FFAWN Day event alongside Donald Trump on Sept. 16, 2009, in New York City.
Attending the Gucci for FFAWN Day event alongside Donald Trump on Sept. 16, 2009, in New York City.

2010

Arriving at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter on March 7, 2010, in West Hollywood, California.
Arriving at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter on March 7, 2010, in West Hollywood, California.

2011

Attending the 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon on Feb. 24, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California.
Attending the 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon on Feb. 24, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.