Serena Williams accused of deleting 'photoshopped' Instagram image after onslaught of criticism from fans

'So much better and stronger without the retouching,' wrote one fan

Williams is said to have replaced the touched up image of herself for a photo with an un-photoshopped waistline over the weekend (Getty Images)

Fans have accused Serena Williams of posting a Photoshopped image of herself on her Instagram and then removing it after receiving a barrage of criticism.

The 34-year-old reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic tennis champion reportedly posted an airbrushed photo from a shoot with People magazine which appeared to have had been manipulated to make her look slimmer.

The tennis great, who was selected for People’s Most Beautiful 2016 list, rapidly came under fire from fans for the black and white swimsuit image. Some followers argued the pole in the background had been distorted.

Williams is said to have replaced the apparently touched up image of herself for a photo with an un-Photoshopped waistline over the weekend. This photo has received a positive response from fans who have applauded her for taking down the original photo.

“So much better and stronger without the retouching,” wrote one fan.

This is not the first time there has been speculation about whether images of Williams have been modified. Critics questioned whether her thighs had been slimmed down after she appeared on the December 2015 cover of Sports Illustrated as their sportsperson of the year.

A representative for Wiliams did not immediately respond to request for comment.