Matteo Berrettini issues creepy apology to LeBron James and deletes 'offensive' post
Matteo Berrettini was forced to apologize after taking offense when he shared a photo of his 'biggest idol' Lebron James on his Instagram Story. The former Wimbledon finalist put a gorilla emoji next to the snap, saying he hadn't realized the racist overtones that came with its use before deleting the story.
Berrettini reposted one of LeBron's photos to his Instagram Story, showing the returning American basketball star wearing a pro-am Drew League jersey for the first time in 11 years as he returned to the League. The world number 15 added a gorilla emoji and a crown emoji as he reposted one of the photos, immediately causing controversy.
The story stuck for several hours before the Italian tennis player deleted it and issued a creeping apology as he claimed he was unaware of the offense the gorilla emoji would cause. "I'm so sorry if my previous post offended anyone," he wrote later Sunday.
"I was told he could easily be misinterpreted so I deleted him. Lebron is my biggest idol. Amazing role model and inspiration. LeBrons shared a series of photos of himself during the game, including one with emojis showing steam coming from the nostrils, although this seemed to be misinterpreted by Berrettini.
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Fans have since taken to social media to share their disappointment at the seven-time title winner for not being aware of the racist connotations of the gorilla emoji. "I want people to understand that we all know Berrettini didn't mean to be racist," one tweeted.
"I'm upset because I think a 26-year-old man should know that you can't use a fucking monkey when you're referring to a black person." The Italian has already shared his love for the Lakers icon, as he had the chance to watch his 'idol' in California for the Indian Wells Masters earlier this year.
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“Wake me up,” he wrote in another Instagram story in March as he shared a photo of himself from a few feet away watching a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Goldens State Warriors, also sharing a photo of himself posing with Floyd Mayweather.
LeBron returned to the summer basketball league for the first time since the NBA lockout in 2011 and led the MMV Cheaters team to a 104-102 win over Black Pearl, scoring 42 points in his return to the Drew League.
Matteo Berrettini was forced to apologize after taking offense when he shared a photo of his 'biggest idol' Lebron James on his Instagram Story. The former Wimbledon finalist put a gorilla emoji next to the snap, saying he hadn't realized the racist overtones that came with its use before deleting the story.
Berrettini reposted one of LeBron's photos to his Instagram Story, showing the returning American basketball star wearing a pro-am Drew League jersey for the first time in 11 years as he returned to the League. The world number 15 added a gorilla emoji and a crown emoji as he reposted one of the photos, immediately causing controversy.
The story stuck for several hours before the Italian tennis player deleted it and issued a creeping apology as he claimed he was unaware of the offense the gorilla emoji would cause. "I'm so sorry if my previous post offended anyone," he wrote later Sunday.
"I was told he could easily be misinterpreted so I deleted him. Lebron is my biggest idol. Amazing role model and inspiration. LeBrons shared a series of photos of himself during the game, including one with emojis showing steam coming from the nostrils, although this seemed to be misinterpreted by Berrettini.
JUST IN: Kyrgios shares private message from Stormzy ahead of Wimbledon final
Fans have since taken to social media to share their disappointment at the seven-time title winner for not being aware of the racist connotations of the gorilla emoji. "I want people to understand that we all know Berrettini didn't mean to be racist," one tweeted.
"I'm upset because I think a 26-year-old man should know that you can't use a fucking monkey when you're referring to a black person." The Italian has already shared his love for the Lakers icon, as he had the chance to watch his 'idol' in California for the Indian Wells Masters earlier this year.
DON'T MISSJokovic's trick to breaking Kyrgios' serve in Wimbledon finalNovak Djokovic's coach looks back on 'this year' despite Wimbledon winDjokovic 'scared' of Kyrgios' moves that led to Wimbledon Final Errors
READ MORE Wimbledon Covid chaos deepens as Rafael Nadal image emerges
“Wake me up,” he wrote in another Instagram story in March as he shared a photo of himself from a few feet away watching a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Goldens State Warriors, also sharing a photo of himself posing with Floyd Mayweather.
LeBron returned to the summer basketball league for the first time since the NBA lockout in 2011 and led the MMV Cheaters team to a 104-102 win over Black Pearl, scoring 42 points in his return to the Drew League.
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