Twitter users have argued about the propriety of a controversial viral cartoon that depicts tennis star, Serena Williams, as a crybaby during the U.S. Open final.

The image, drawn by Mark Knight for Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper, shows the cartoonist’s version of Williams, stomping on her racket and appearing to cry after spitting out a pacifier.

Many opined that the Knight reduced the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion to a big “crybaby.”

However, some just accused Williams of taking the shine off the first-time winner, Naomi Osaka, on the court.

In the background of the cartoon, Knight depicts Williams’ opponent, as a tall, slim, blonde woman, looking up at the referee, as he asks her “Can you just let her win?”

Author J.K. Rowling was one influential voice who weighed in on the polarizing illustration, calling the cartoon “racist” on Twitter.

Condemnation of the cartoon has come from American civil rights activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson, British author JK Rowling and other social media users.

There are, however, others who believe that the cartoon was drawn in good faith and aptly captured the scene at the US Open.

Bernice King, the chief executive of the King Center and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, said the Herald Sun’s stance was “unfortunate”.

It was “without consideration for the painful historical context of such imagery and how it can support biases and racism today”, she said. “Why wouldn’t a human being care about that?”

Rev Jesse tweeted: “This despicable cartoon tried and failed to diminish the greatness & grace of @serenawilliams. Racism in any form is unacceptable. Push On @serenawilliams! #KeepHopeAlive!”

See more reactions:

This despicable cartoon tried and failed to diminish the greatness & grace of @serenawilliams. Racism in any form is unacceptable. Push On @serenawilliams! #KeepHopeAlive! https://t.co/iNLQNZ4ek7

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 10, 2018

You could have shown the moment on the podium where Serena acknowledged Naomi’s great play, told the crowd to stop booing, and tried to give the winner the moment she deserved. I guess being lazy is easier than being not racist. https://t.co/mnLxboVCn4

— roxane gay (@rgay) September 9, 2018

The saddest part about Mark Knight’s cartoon depiction of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, is that he believes that he has done nothing wrong and that everyone is overreacting and does not understand the art of caricature. Racist bigotry at its finest.

— NUFF (@nuffsaidny) September 10, 2018

“It’s a cartoon about poor behaviour. It’s nothing to do with race.”

Mark Knight responds to the international condemnation he’s copped as a result of yesterday’s Serena Williams cartoon.

More online soon. pic.twitter.com/IhDjn0uEJL

— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) September 10, 2018

Mark Knight’s cartoon was legitimate, appropriate commentary on Serena Williams’ childish, overbearing tantrum. It was NOT racist. @Knightcartoons is Australia’s best cartoonist. We need fearless artists like him poking fun at the powerful for health of our democracy, society.

— NickMcCallum7 (@NickMcCallum7) September 11, 2018

that Herald Sun cartoon of Serena Williams looking like like a checklist of ape/mammy stereotypes (+ Naomi Osaka looking blonde + white???!!! makes me feel sick. one wholehearty fuck you to cartoonist Mark Knight, suck your mum + I hope someone with dysentery shits in your eyes

— bridget minamore (@bridgetminamore) September 10, 2018

At risk of copping my own abuse, appalling what keyboard warriors on this echo chamber will write when ‘outraged’. Some of the abuse @Knightcartoons has faced over #SerenaWilliams cartoon. They’re ‘verified’ trolls. @theheraldsun & Mark reject any racism (language warning) pic.twitter.com/stt0NNgTCU

— Andrew Hough (@andrew_hough) September 11, 2018