Naomi Osaka’s triumph at the US Open will be remembered as a historic accomplishment, but the focus remains on the shocking events that took place during her clash with Serena Williams.
On Sunday night, an extraordinary argument between Williams and the umpire, Carlos Ramos, resulted in her being slammed with a game penalty during the second set. The confrontation started when Williams was issued with a warning for coaching. Prompting her to approach the chair and state that she was doing no such action. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, later admitted that he was coaching in the stands, but not directly at his player. Following on from that, the former world No.1 got a second warning and a point penalty after smashing her racket. Then uproar erupted in New York when Williams called Ramos a ‘liar’ and subsequently got docked an entire game. An action Williams believes was triggered by sexism.
“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things,” she said. “I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say ‘thief,’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’.” Williams said during her press conference.
“For me, it blows my mind, But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”
The fallout from the match has divided an entire sport with figures speaking both for and against Williams’ action. Billie Jean King is the founder of the WTA Tour. The 12-time grand slam champion has backed Williams’ claims over double standards. Saying that ‘coaching should be allowed on every point in tennis.’
“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 (Serena Williams) for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same.” King wrote on Twitter
Two-time grand Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka also stuck up for Williams on social media. Writing on Twitter – ‘If it was a men’s match, this wouldn’t happen like this. It just wouldn’t.’
The other view
Not everybody is so sympathetic to Williams. 24-time grand slam champion Margaret Court has backed Ramos over his decision. Saying that the American tried to ‘become bigger than the rules.’
“We always had to go by the rules,” Court told The Australian.
“It’s sad for the sport when a player tries to become bigger than the rules.
“Because the young player outplayed her in the first set, I think pressure got her more than anything.”
British player Liam Broady was another person to praise the umpire for standing up against Williams. Broady lost in the second round of qualifying at the US Open.
“I think incredibly strong from the umpire to not be intimidated by a GOAT (greatest of all time) of the game and hand out the game penalty even so?” Said Broady.
“You shouldn’t talk to anybody in this way whether they’re an umpire or person on the street.”
There is a chance that the argument may not be over yet. The WTA has confirmed that they will be investigating the incident. Although they have given no further information about what actions they may take.
“The chair umpire’s decision was final and not reviewable by the Tournament Referee or the Grand Slam Supervisor who were called to the court at that time.” The WTA said in a statement,
“There are matters that need to be looked into that took place during the match.”
Williams’ conqueror, Osaka, has become the first Japanese grand slam champion in the Open Era.