Serena Williams visibly upset with umpire Carlos Ramos after she was flagged for coaching. The controversial call and remarks made by Williams gave her opponent Naomi Osaka the victory. |
Williams was not happy with the call from umpire Carlos Ramos.
The controversy started from Ramos accusing Williams of "coaching" from Patrick Mouratoglou in the second set of the match.
Williams immediately stopped in the middle of the set and went to the umpire and called him out. She said that was not receiving coaching and that she would "rather lose" than cheat. Williams would soon get a second violation when she smashed her racket in frustration. She lost a point due to the violation, causing the player to argue with Ramos again about the initial penalty.
Naomi Osaka always wanted to take on a legend like Serena Williams. |
The third violation issued by Ramos was verbal abuse. That came on the point where Williams called the umpire a thief. It lead to an automatic game lose.
"You will never, ever, ever be on another court of mine as long as you live. You are the liar. When are you going to give me my apology? You owe me an apology. Say it. Say you're sorry...And you stole a point from me. You're a thief, too!"
Some are saying that Serena is right on this one. The U.S. Open referees have faced sexism accusations.
Naomi Osaka's victory is a first. She is the first woman to represent Japan in the U.S. Open Women's final. |
Williams also faced a stiff fine for that. She was told that will be fined $17,000 for the remarks.
Williams remarked that if she was a male player, it wouldn't be much of an issue.
Billie Jean King was not happy about the controversy. She took to social media to slam the U.S. Open and it conduct towards women.
Congratulations on winning the 2018 @usopen, @naomi_osaka_. This win is just the beginning of a bright future. Tennis is in an exciting place right now with players like you. #Champion #usopen— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 8, 2018
(1/2) Several things went very wrong during the @usopen Women’s Finals today. Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis. It isn’t, and as a result, a player was penalized for the actions of her coach. This should not happen.— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
(2/2) When a woman is emotional, she’s “hysterical” and she’s penalized for it. When a man does the same, he’s “outspoken” & and there are no repercussions. Thank you, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same.— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
Here’s something I wrote for @washingtonpost. I hope you’ll take a read. https://t.co/2sVDwtlDBu— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
Ramos is a "gold-badge" umpire. He officiated the men's singles finals at all four of the Grand Slam tournaments, and he also presided over the 2012 men's Olympic singles.
Ramos has gotten some support.
Many are saying that Ramos sabotaged the game. The video circulating shows Serena Williams arguing with Ramos and it doesn't show anything like what you're seeing below here.
Now you tell me, is there sexism or a hint of racism in the decisions made on Saturday?Ramos has gotten some support.
Many are saying that Ramos sabotaged the game. The video circulating shows Serena Williams arguing with Ramos and it doesn't show anything like what you're seeing below here.
The WTA (Women's Tennis Association) and its president, Steve Simon wrote a blistering statement on the matter.
Australian cartoonist drew an op-ed cartoon depicting Williams as a baboon. |
"Yesterday also brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches. The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committted to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same. We do not believe that this was done last night."
The New York Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch. He is the founder of the right wing toilet known as Fox News. |
"Yesterday's match showcased one of the tennis's new stars as well as one of the greatest players of the game. We look forward to more thrilling matches between these great athletes and hope that what we all witnessed yesterday never happens again."
Serena Williams also slammed the junk food media for ignoring the victory of her opponent.
The whole ordeal overshadowed Naomi Osaka's first ever U.S. Open Women's Championship.
Osaka is born of Japanese and Haitian decent. She is the first woman from America to represent Japan in her first U.S. Open victory. |
She is considered Japanese/Haitian American. She has dual citizenship with Japan and the United States.
Osaka's mother had a decade long fallout with her family over her relationship with a Black man.
Osaka said that when she visit her family, they said people are confused that they see a Japanese name on a black girl.