Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimming champion, has publicly criticized tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, accusing them of remaining silent on the contentious issue of transgender women participating in women’s sports.

Gaines suggests that the tennis superstars are reluctant to voice their views due to the ever-present threat of “cancel culture.”

“Women are depending, girls are depending on these women with platforms and with influence to take a stance on this, so changes can ultimately be made,” Gaines expressed during a discussion on Fox Business Network’s Varney & Co on Thursday.

Gaines’ commentary follows her recent social media initiative to encourage prominent female athletes to publicly address the issue of transgender athletes.

On Monday, she declared her intent to tag famous athletes in her social media posts to stimulate dialogue on the matter.

Gaines articulated her understanding of the hesitancy of prominent figures to risk their sponsorships and reputations by confronting the controversial issue, especially before the Lia Thomas incident significantly highlighted the matter.

However, she expressed her diminishing sympathy for such hesitations as the issue continues to loom large. “But now, a year past that incident, I don’t have sympathy for that anymore,” she stated.

Gaines underscored that both Williams sisters have previously acknowledged the inherent differences between male and female athletes, particularly in the realm of tennis. “And I think it’s worth noting that both Venus and Serena Williams lost in a blowout to the 203rd-ranked male tennis player,” she added.

The former swimming champion elaborated on her concerns in a separate interview with Fox News Digital.

“I think this will get worse before it gets better,” she predicted. She asked, “How many girls have to be injured playing against a male? How many girls have to lose out on scholarships and trophies and titles? How many girls have to feel violated in the locker room?”

Gaines’ focus on the Williams sisters is pertinent due to their unique history.

In 1998, they participated in an exhibition game with male tennis player Karsten Braasch, a match that highlighted the disparity between male and female athletes’ performance levels.

Despite Braasch’s 203rd world ranking and being past his prime at 31, he defeated both sisters, demonstrating superior speed and power.

The sisters’ past experiences contrast with their current silence on the issue. Serena, in a 2013 appearance on the David Letterman Show, admitted she couldn’t beat men’s tennis star Andy Murray. “So, if I were to play Andy Murray, I would lose, 6-0, 6-0, in 5 to 6 minutes, maybe 10 minutes,” she said.

Gaines concludes that the Williams sisters’ personal experiences and the clear differences between men’s and women’s tennis should motivate them to oppose transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.

Yet, their silence suggests that they may be wary of the potential repercussions of entering the debate.

Gaines’ comments strike a chord in an era when the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports is a contentious issue.

As figures with significant influence, the stance of athletes like the Williams sisters could potentially drive the dialogue and shape the future of women’s sports.

The question remains whether they will choose to break their silence and, if so, how they will navigate the charged issue in the current climate of cancel culture.

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