Tennis player Matteo Berrettini apologized after he posted a photo of his “biggest idol” Lebron James on his Instagram story next to a gorilla emoji and a crown emoji.
After being dragged on social media, Matteo claimed he did not know the emoji was racist.
“I am very sorry if my previous story post offended anyone,” he wrote.
“I was informed that it can easily be misinterpreted so I have deleted it. Lebron is my biggest idol. Incredible role model and inspiration.”
James also posted a picture of him wearing the Drew League jersey with several steam-coming-from-the-nostrils emojis followed by a crown emoji.
Matteo’s apology was accepted by fans online.
“Comparing a strong and powerful man to a strong and powerful animal is not wrong in itself, it can be a compliment, just like a tiger or bull. BUT comparing an African man to an ape has too much connotations,” one fan wrote.
