article_snippet: The poster featuring blonde model Fiona Butler, who was 18 at the time the image was taken, attracted a flurry of criticism when the official Wimbledon Twitter account included the official Wimbledon Twitter account in a post promoting the Powerful Posters exhibition.
article_snippet: Some followers accused the home of Wimbledon of sexism for highlighting the image, taken by the late Martin Elliott in 1976 at the University of Birmingham's tennis courts and printed by Athena. '
article_snippet: We apologise for offence caused by the Athena Tennis Girl poster.
article_snippet: Athena's Tennis Girl poster caused a Twitter stir and Wimbledon was forced to apologise after using Athena's Tennis Girl poster to promote a forthcoming exhibition called Powerful Posters .
article_snippet: Tennis fan Kishore Sharma expressed Kishore Sharma outrage on Twitter, saying: 'Can't believe Wimbledon used this pic for upcoming 'Powerful Poster Exhibition'.'
article_snippet: Even the wording of the apology attracted criticism as a Twitter user responded with the comment: 'The poster doesn't show the history of tennis, the girl isn't a tennis player, you are just publicising sexualisation of females.'
article_snippet: And campaign group the Everyday Sexism Project asked: 'Wimbledon having deleted your tweet, can you confirm if the poster you tweeted will be included in the exhibition?'
article_snippet: Twitter user David B backed The All England Lawn Tennis Club, saying: 'Presumably John McEnroe will now have to be airbrushed out of Wimbledon history?
article_snippet: An All England Club spokesman added: 'All England Club're aware that The poster has generated debate on social media and All England Club decided to respond to some of the comments raised since All England Club want to be clear that it is not a reflection of how we view women in tennis. '
article_snippet: Last night tennis fans were questioning whether the poster, one of the world's best-selling, really is that controversial after all.
article_snippet: Sadie Hochfield tweeted: 'Ridiculous Wimbledon are getting stick for sharing iconic poster.
article_snippet: Sara Smith-Jones posted: 'Wimbledon [has] nothing to apologise for –
article_snippet: Mark Staniforth said: 'Wimbledon has just tweeted an apology for any 'offence' caused by a link to the 40-year-old Athena Girl poster.
article_snippet: I think Wimbledon were right to delete the Athena poster tweet,' one Twitter user wrote. '
article_snippet: No one should have to see that appalling 1970s court surface again.'
highlights_snippet: Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum faced criticism and were accused of sexism on social media .
  
highlights_snippet: Image deleted from Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum official Twitter account and an apology issued .