Bouchard tones down twirl controversy

Melbourne, Jan 23 : World No.7 Eugenie Bouchard has played down the twirl controversy, saying she is "OK" with the request as long as male players are asked to "flex their muscles" by the TV presenter in Australian Open tennis tournament.

The Canadian tennis star was asked to show off the popular dance move by a male TV presenter following her second-round win Wednesday.

The unusual request triggered off a controversy, with many, including twelve-time Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King, criticising the request from the male TV presenter as "truly sexist".

But Bouchard says she was not offended by the request and was fine with it as long as male players are asked to flex their muscles.

"I'm not offended. I'm fine with being asked to twirl if they ask the guys to flex," Bouchard was quoted as saying by bbc.com Friday.

"I think it was an in-the-moment thing and it was funny."

The 20-year-old was asked about the controversy again after her third-round win over France's Caroline Garcia Friday.

"They try to ask funny questions, It's entertaining, I guess. I don't mind it. People can think what they want about it, but I just answer how I want and do what I want. I'm fine with it," she said.