Tennys Sandgren's spirited run to the Australian Open quarterfinals ended with a loss to Hyeon Chung.
Sandgren's twitter battle with Serena Williams continues.
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The 23-time Grand Slam champion called out Sandgren with this tweet today, telling the 97th-ranked American "@TennysSandgren I don't need or want one. But there is a entire group of people that deserves an apology. I cant look at my daughter and tell her I sat back and was quiet. No! she will know how to stand up for herself and others- through my example.”
While the former world No. 1 did not specify what "group" she was referring to, screenshots of now-deleted Sandgren re-tweets and tweets include derogatory remarks aimed at black people and Muslims.
ESPN commentators mentioned Sandgren's controversial tweets during his quarterfinal match. Williams, who watches the Grand Slams, posted this tweet which some interpreted as a direct response.
Sandgren was asked if he supported the alt-right movement during his post-match press conference.
"No, I don't. I don't. I find some of the content interesting," Sandgren said. "But no, I don't, not at all. As a firm Christian, I don't support things like that, no. I support Christ and following Him. That's what I support. Thanks, though.
That interaction caused Sandgren to delete all his tweets, except one, the following day.
Sandgren read this statement to the media at the start of his quarterfinal press conference:
"You seek to put people in these little boxes so that you can order the world in your already assumed preconceived ideas. You strip away any individuality for the sake of demonizing by way of the collective.
"With a handful of follows and some likes on Twitter, my fate has been sealed in your minds. To write an edgy story, to create sensationalist coverage, there are a few lengths you wouldn't go to mark me as the man you desperately want me to be.
"You would rather perpetuate propaganda machines instead of researching information from a host of angles and perspectives while being willing to learn, change, and grow. You dehumanize with pen and paper and turn neighbor against neighbor. In so doing, you may actually find you're hastening the hell you wish to avoid, the hell we all wish to avoid.
It is my firm belief that the highest value must be placed on the virtue of each individual, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. It's my job to continue on this journey with the goal of becoming the best me I can and to embody the love Christ has for me, for I answer to Him and Him alone."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve