Australian cartoonist Mark Knight has denied that his recent drawing of tennis star Serena Williams is "racist"

The cartoon was published in the Herald Sun featuring Mr Knight's take on the controversial US Open final, where Williams lost to Naomi Osaka after receiving three code violations.

My toon in today’s @theheraldsun on #SerenaWilliams @usopen pic.twitter.com/didwtQg1R5

— Mark Knight (@Knightcartoons) September 10, 2018

The cartoon shows Williams stamping on her racquet with a dummy on the ground while the umpire tells Osaka, "Can you just let her win?".

Some commentators on social media have defended the cartoon while others, including the Washington Post, claim that the cartoon used "dehumanising" facial features.

Mr Knight says his cartoon is about Williams' behaviour and nothing else.

"I saw the world number one tennis player have a huge hissy fit and spit the dummy. That's what the cartoon was about, her poor behaviour on the court,"

"I'm not targeting Serena. I mean, Serena is a champion."

"I drew her as an African-American woman. She's powerfully built. She wears these outrageous costumes when she plays tennis. She's interesting to draw. I drew her as she is, as an African-American woman."

"I find on social media that stuff gets shared around, and it's like a sort of rolling thunder. It's like a hurricane. It develops intensity way beyond its initial meaning," he said.

"I think racial tensions in America are, of course, more heightened than here in Australia. And Americans may look at it in a different light."

"No racial historical significance should be read into it."

Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to racist and sexist tropes and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop. https://t.co/YOxVMuTXEC

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 10, 2018

Mr Knight has faced a storm online, including British author JK Rowling have taken offence.

Mr Knight has responded to some of his critics, highlighting his recent cartoon of Nick Kyrgios.

So far my favorite part of the day has been @Knightcartoons suggesting I apologize to him. pic.twitter.com/PxlIAM1VBj

— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) September 10, 2018

ABC