Jane Campion apologizes to Venus and Serena Williams in new statement, saying her comment about them at the Critics' Choice Awards was 'thoughtless'

• Jane Campion mentioned the Williams sisters in her acceptance speech at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday.
• "The Power of the Dog" director said the tennis stars "do not play against the guys, like I have to."

Jane Campion apologized Monday after saying that Venus and Serena Williams "do not play against the guys like I have to" after winning best director at Sunday night's Critics' Choice Awards — a comment that was quickly criticized on social media.

"The Power of the Dog" director triumphed over her fellow male nominees, Kenneth Branagh, Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson, Denis Villeneuve, and Guillermo del Toro.

In her victory speech, however, she pointed to the many other female nominees in other categories.

"It's absolutely stunning to be here tonight among so many incredible women," Campion began.

"Halle Berry, you have already done my speech … and really killed it. I loved it. You're absolutely brilliant," she said, acknowledging the actress, who won the #SeeHer award earlier that evening.

"Venus and Serena, what an honor to be in the room with you. I've taken up tennis — I truly have — and Will [Smith], if you want to come over and give me lessons, I would truly love it," Campion continued. "I actually had to stop playing because I've got tennis elbow."

Venus and Serena Williams were attending the Critics' Choice Awards in support of "King Richard," which received six nominations. The biopic is centered on their father and coach, Richard Williams, played by Will Smith, who won best actor for the role.

After Campion gave her "love out" to her fellow nominees, which she dubbed "the guys," the director addressed the Williams sisters again: "Venus and Serena, you're such marvels. However, you do not play against the guys like I have to."

Insider reached out to reps for Venus and Serena Williams but didn't hear back.

Campion apologized after her comments were panned on social media

Campion's comments quickly trended on Sunday night after many journalists pointed out how distasteful they were to the Williams sisters.

"There was no need to disrespect and diminish Serena and Venus Williams by Jane Campion. Is the 'win' better because Black women didn't get it?" said Stephanie Guerilus, ABC News' Digital News Editor, on Twitter.

The BBC's Gender and Identity correspondent Megha Mohan wrote on Twitter, "Jane Campion, daughter of famous New Zealand theatre director Richard Campion & actress Edith Campion MBE, explains the challenges of being a white woman from an established family to Venus and Serena Williams."

After Campion's statements received criticism from people online, she sent a statement to several entertainment news outlets via her representatives.

"I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved," the statement, which was sent to Insider, began. "I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world-class athletes."

She continued: "The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world. The last thing I would ever want to do is minimize remarkable women. I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you."

Editor's Note: This story was updated on Monday afternoon to include Campion's apology to Venus and Serena Williams.