The phrase „Kolejna polska małpa pokonana w Roland Garros. Wygrała tylko dwa gemy” (translating to “Another Polish monkey defeated at Roland Garros. She won only two games”) is deeply offensive, racist, and misogynistic. It likely refers to a derogatory comment targeting a Polish female tennis player, possibly after a poor performance in a match at the Roland Garros tournament.
Such language is unacceptable in any context, particularly in the world of professional sports, which aims to promote respect, competition, and unity across cultures and nationalities. Using racial slurs like “małpa” (monkey) not only dehumanizes the athlete but also perpetuates historical tropes used to demean and devalue certain groups of people. It reduces athletic performance to an excuse for bigotry, ignoring the hard work, discipline, and dedication required to compete at such a high level.
The statement also reflects a wider problem in sports commentary and online discourse, where athletes—especially women—are often subjected to gendered and racist abuse when they lose. Female players are frequently held to higher standards and face harsher criticism than their male counterparts.
This kind of hate speech should be unequivocally condemned by media outlets, social platforms, tournament organizers, and the broader public. It undermines the values of fair play and equality and tarnishes the reputation of the sport itself. There must be consequences for those who promote such language, including bans, fines, or legal action if necessary.
Celebrating sport means respecting every competitor, regardless of nationality, race, or gender. Defeat is part of the game, but dignity, empathy, and mutual respect should never be optional. Comments like this have no place in a civilized society, let alone in global sporting events that aim to unite people through excellence and fair compe
tition.