Australian Open: ESPN commentator claims he chose wrong word in Williams racism row

An ESPN commentator who allegedly referred to Venus Willams as a “gorilla” has claimed he was praising the former world No.1's "guerilla tactics" at the Australian Open. 

Doug Adler sent social media into a meltdown when one of his comments backfired during the second-round match against Stefanie Voegele on Wednesday. 

"She misses a first serve and Venus is all over her," Adler said during the coverage.  

"You see Venus move in and put the gorilla effect on. Charging." 

The comment was seized upon by furious fans who called for Adler’s immediate sacking.

ESPN commentator Doug Adler. (Getty) 

But Adler said he was trying to describe Williams' aggressive approach to the game and "simply and inadvertently chose the wrong word to describe her play". 

However, his insistence that he was trying to say "guerilla" rather than "gorilla" has fallen flat with fans and pundits alike calling him "disgusting" and "awful". 

Even fellow journalist, New York Times' Ben Rothenberg was quick to condemn Adler. 

Williams eventually crushed Voegele in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to book her spot in the third-round.