Tennis star criticized for Serena Williams impression

UNDATED (WHDH) -- Serena Williams is one of the most dominant female tennis players in history. She won the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Olympic gold - this year alone. Being on top sometimes means being a target - but some of William's fans are calling Caroline Wozniacki's impersonation of the super star, a cheap shot.

“Some people are saying how could you make fun of this voluptuous African American woman's body and other people are saying it's a joke get over it,”

The 22-year-old Danish player strutted onto the court in Brazil with a mischievous smile. Her opponent Maria Sharapova, also smiled, so did Roger Federer. Even the crowd was laughing, but in the U.S. where racial sensitivities run deep - not everyone sees the humor. On the grio's Facebook page, critics wrote, “harmless fun, i don't think so!”…”poor taste”…”racist and disgusting.”

“Whenever there are imitations or impressions across racial lines you're traveling down a very tricky slope, especially African American users and fans see this video, they see their sports star being caricatured in a way that they're not comfortable with,”

Wozniacki's supporters say there was never any offense intended. The two players are friends. In fact, tennis players do this kind of thing all the time. Wozniacki did the same impersonation of Williams last year, and she probably picked it up from Serbian player Novek Jockavich, or even U.S. player Andy Roddick. Serena Williams herself has poked fun at her body tweeting “hmm I think this onesie makes my butt look too big. Ugh. #bigbuttproblems”.

The defense of Wozniacki has not silenced the anger. Wittingly or not, jokingly or not, she played her way right into a mine field.