Serena Williams Calls Out Umpire's Sexism After Losing U.S. Open
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: Serena Williams of the United States reacts after her defeat in the Women’s Singles finals match to Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
All eyes were on Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka during Saturday afternoon’s U.S. Open final match. Osaka, 20, went toe-to-toe against Williams, a player she said she loved, and proved to be able to hold her own against the greatest athlete out there. But Osaka’s win was marred with controversy when it came to umpire Carlos Ramos when he docked Williams points for code violations.
Ramos handed Williams her first violation when he accused her of getting illegal advice from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. During Williams’ second set, Mouratoglou made a hand gesture that Ramos took as advice, and Williams fired back.
“One thing I’ve never done is cheat. If he gives me a thumbs up, he’s telling me to come on. We don’t have any code, and I know you don’t know that. And I understand why you may have thought that was coaching, but I’m telling you it’s not. I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose,” she said.
Williams was issued a second violation for smashing her racket.
But many have questioned Ramos’ motives and have accused him of being sexist, since male tennis players have gotten away with similar actions. Williams argued with Ramos and demanded an apology for accusing her of cheating, and then he handed her a third violation.
Serena Williams didn't have a meltdown. She defended her honor on one of the grandest stages in a sport she's dominated for her entire adult life that continually disrespects her. Don't reduce her justified frustration to sexist behavioral stereotypes.
After the match, Williams spoke about the sexism that exists in tennis.
“He never took a game from a man because he said ‘thief,’” Williams said. “For me it blows my mind, but I’m going to continue to fight for women. The fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person.”
The outcome of the match had people praising Osaka for her win, but also pointing out the unfairness of the match on behalf of Ramos.
#Tennis really doesn't want #Serena to be the greatest of all time. They are over drug testing her, banning her outfits and now penalizing her in games. And ppl say Black ppl are making this up. Does Serena have to go #Kaepernick and sue?
Would a male tennis player be asked how they will someday explain their anger to their baby child? (No.) Serena handled the question with humor, but it still pisses me off.
Men aren’t policed like women are for what they wear in tennis. They aren’t held to the same standards for language and behavior. And women of color are treated the most unfairly.
