AFLW star Tayla Harris has sent the football world into a frenzy with a selfie of herself posing with tennis grand slam queen Serena Williams at the Olympic Games.
Many questioned whether Harris should go all out in Paris, with the AFLW season starting in three weeks.
The All Australian and Melbourne Demons forward is also recovering from a shoulder injury.
But the 27-year-old, who is in France to attend a Nike conference, will find the trip “a perfect learning experience” that will provide “valuable insights” for the football season, according to her club.
Harris took a selfie with the retired American tennis star during a global Nike promotional event.
Former Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes led the barrage of backlash.
“He takes it seriously,” he wrote alongside Harris’ selfie.
The brazen attack sparked divided reactions among football fans.
Demons striker Tayla Harris has shocked football fans with a selfie (pictured) of her with tennis legend Serena Williams at the Paris Olympics
“These types of unprofessional practices from the jet set are the reason why they (AFLW stars) aren’t taken seriously, don’t work full time and don’t earn the big bucks,” one wrote.
Another added: ‘It doesn’t look good for her or the ladies… there’s no chance of any of the Brisbane or Adelaide girls going to Paris a few weeks before the season starts.’
A third wrote: ‘Well she’s bad at football so we might as well enjoy it.’
Other fans immediately came to Harris’ defense and criticized Cornes.
“Well, if it was a full-time job you might be right, but you’re not,” someone noted.
Another added: ‘I have no idea who you are… but maybe next time you should take the lemon out of your mouth before you say anything.’
Demons Head of Women’s Football Jessie Mullholland said the club fully supported Harris’ trip to France.
“Tayla has been given an incredible opportunity to go to Paris for the Olympics,” she told the Herald Sun.
Tayla’s trip to Paris has divided the AFL world and football fans
The club was reportedly made aware of Harris’ trip to Paris months ago, where she has spent the past few weeks speaking to some of the world’s top female athletes.
“And upon her return, she will share her experiences and lessons with the team, giving us a unique perspective on achieving peak performance in a variety of areas,” said Ms. Mulholland.
Harris, one of Nike’s global icons, backed this up with photos of her training at the world-class facilities of French rugby club Paris Racing 92.
She also took some time away from her athletic pursuits, posting photos of herself in various restaurants and cycling on a Parisian street.
The Demons’ opening game of the new season is against Geelong on August 31. Harris has struggled to stay fit after sustaining a shoulder injury during a recent training camp.
Whether she plays or not, she will be in Australia for the match, posting on Instagram that she is ‘brb (be right back)’ in Paris.
Williams also gained unwanted publicity in the French capital when she criticised a five-star hotel for denying her family access to a rooftop restaurant despite it being empty.
Some have questioned whether Harris (pictured) should have gone to Paris at all, given that the AFL Women’s season starts in three weeks and she is struggling to recover from a shoulder injury.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner went to X to complain about the treatment she received at The Peninsula Hotel on Monday.
‘Ouch,’ Williams wrote. ‘@peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to the rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant or in nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first.’
The hotel later responded: ‘Dear Ms Williams, We sincerely apologize for the disappointment you experienced this evening.
Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only free tables you saw were those of our gastronomic restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was completely reserved.
‘We have always felt it was an honor to welcome you and will always feel it is an honor to welcome you again. The Peninsula Paris.’