The initial “punishment” for refusing media was a $15,000 fine.

She was completely okay with paying that, and said it was “worth it” to her, to pay the fine and just play tennis.

Only after that statement from her & her team did the Powers That Be decide the original stated “punishment” was not harsh enough (likely because she was a Black woman who wasn’t doing as she was told, because this ABSOLUTELY is about race) and tell her that she might not even be allowed to play at all.

And she still refused to be intimidated- to jump because they told her to.

I stand with her, but she shouldn’t have to do any of this.

And yes- notice how people on the right and racists will say “shut up and play” over and over... until someone (particularly a Black woman) literally says “I would very much like to shut up and just play”, and then it’s “we’re going to fine you if you don’t talk, and not even let you play”.