Simona Halep’s Australian coach Darren Cahill targeted by social media trolls after epic semi-final

SIMONA Halep and Angelique’s Kerber’s semi-final classic has been somewhat overshadowed by gender extremists. The accusations thrown at her Aussie Coach Darren Cahill are outrageous, writes Leo Schlink.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — JANUARY 10: Simona Halep of Romania listens to coach Darren Cahill during a practice session ahead of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 10, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

IT was the Australian Open epic an extreme minority contrived to twist with blind hate and prejudice.

Simona Halep and Angelique’s Kerber’s semi-final classic was a celebration of all the great things about grand slam tennis.

Athleticism, determination, bravery, persistence and skill were evident in spades.

It will be long remembered for all the right reasons.

But not for some.

Inanely, Darren Cahill stands accused by self-appointed social media judges of being nothing more than “another man taking the credit for a woman’s achievements.”

As accusations stand, it is utterly absurd but, for all its ugliness, it shines a light in exactly the place sports gender extremists should fear most.

Yet again a man getting a credit for a woman's achievement?? That was a Simona Halep win. She was the one on the court for 3.5 hours. He helped/coached her but she got that win.

— Anitha Vijayan (@VijayanMD) January 20, 2018

Simona Halep of Romania listens to coach Darren Cahill

The Australian Open has long been regarded as a tournament strong on equality and diversity.

Yet, in some ways, the event has been again hijacked by those with vested political agendas — to everybody’s cost.

Freedom of speech — and choice — is now subject to the approval of moral arbiters with short memories. and low levels of tolerance.

Debate over equal prizemoney, tournament format, scheduling and, inevitably, Margaret Court’s views (on anything) are all set in a context of “be careful of what you say, otherwise there’ll be consequences.”

And so to hell with freedom of speech.

Tennys Sandgren learnt valuable life lessons this week when his dubious Twitter activity was aired.

Darren Cahill, coach of Romania's Simona Halep watches her semi-final

Serena Williams — the same belligerent Serena Williams once fined a record $82,500 and placed under provisional suspension for threatening a lineswoman — joined the fray.

Yet there is silence around a male — Cahill — slammed on Twitter for doing nothing more than his job.

Double standards, anybody?

Given Cahill’s signature sensitivity and perception, charges of him egotistically taking command of Halep’s Open band-wagon is a horrible slur.

The South Australian’s self-deprecation is monumental.

The inferred misconception is that he pursued Halep for the coaching role when it is precisely the other way around. As it was with Lleyton Hewitt. As it was with Andre Agassi.

True to form, Cahill is reluctant to do any kind of interviews — even with media pests he has known for the best part of 30 years — until after Halep faces Caroline Wozniacki in the final.

He absolutely wants in no way to detract attention from Halep or Wozniacki or Kerber — all accomplished women who happen to choose to be coached by men.

Like the vast majority, Cahill would prefer sport to be played for sport’s sakes. And damn the political posturing.