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Serena Williams calls out sexism during US Open final, vows to 'fight for women'

Serena Williams calls out sexism during US Open final, vows to 'fight for women'

The tennis star accused the umpire of sexism, said, "I don't cheat. I've never cheated."
09 Sep, 2018

The US Open final took place on Saturday and it ended on a sour note.

American tennis player Serena Williams was up against Japan's Naomi Osaka and lost out on what would've been her 24th Grand Slam win due to 'sexism' alleges the tennis star.

The 36-year-old was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a "liar and a thief" for taking away a point from her.

"I didn't get coaching. I didn't cheat. How can you say that?" protested Williams. "You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand by what's right for her."

The crowd booed in support of Williams.

"You are a liar," she called out the umpire. "You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live. When are you going to give me my apology? Say you are sorry."

Williams took it up with tournament referee Brian Earley and called the penalties unfair: "This has happened to me too many times. This is not right. Because I’m a woman, you’re going to take this away from me?"

Serena also received tremendous support from the sports community.

During a media conference, Williams said the umpire "alleged that I was cheating, and I wasn't cheating," referring to her coach Mouratoglou's gestures towards her during the match. "I don't use on-court coaching (where it's allowed at WTA tour events)."

"I was coaching but I don't think she looked at me," Mouratoglou said. "Sash [Osaka's coach Sascha Bajin] was coaching as well. Everybody does it."

She added, "I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. 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’."

"For me, it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women," she said.

Williams also made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court during a heatwave.

"Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous," said Williams.

Cornet was accused of "unsportsmanlike behaviour" before tournament chiefs apologised, admitting the umpire made the wrong decision.

Though Williams lost the match, she vowed to continue fighting for women. "I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman."

"They're going to be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn't work out for me, but it's going to work out for the next person."

Last month, Williams black catsuit caused a stir at the French Open with the President of the tennis tournament asking Serena to "respect the game and the place" and banning the suit altogether. The suit was designed by Nike to protect against blood clots, a condition the tennis player was diagnosed with after the birth of her daughter.

Comments

Alba Sep 09, 2018 02:33pm
What does it have to do with sexism?? She is coming to the end of her career and doesn't like it.
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M. Saeed Sep 09, 2018 02:35pm
The 36 years old mother defeated by by a budding 20 years old emerging player.
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Nomansland Sep 09, 2018 02:41pm
Osaka was definitely the better player both in court and off court... Serena didn't behave like a matured professional player.. Almost ruined the moment for the new Grand slam Champ !!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 09, 2018 03:29pm
Bad luck Ms. Williams. No doubt, you are a great tennis player. In fact, over the years, you have been instrumental in transforming the lives of many minorities both at domestic and global fronts for being a wonderful role model. Nevertheless, in case of your yesterday's 2018 U.S. Open Women Grand Final match against the 20-years old Japanese tennis star, the better player won. Last but not the least, on behalf of your global fan club and supporters, kindly consider retirement from top class competitive tennis, as soon as possible.
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Saeed Sep 09, 2018 03:32pm
So everything that goes against a woman is because of sexism??? I am beginning to believe in the abuse of this word 'sexism' by many a women, for their potential gain. This needs to stop , otherwise women who are genuinely treated differently will also suffer.
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Khan Sep 09, 2018 05:51pm
The behaviour of williams was not showing a true sports man ship.in all games reffres have their own respect.
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Hunzai Sep 09, 2018 06:14pm
She ruined the lifetime moment of her colleague just because she failed to respond to the opponent services. It was a clearly mean act from a person who won 23 grandsalams. She overreacted.
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J,Gamble Sep 09, 2018 07:07pm
the fact is she wants to win either way.
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mushtaq Sep 09, 2018 08:01pm
Naomi chan,Congratulation from Pakistani community of Japan.You showed courage,concentration,sportmanship and a noble character.We are so proud of you.So Happy
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Jee Sep 09, 2018 09:19pm
It was a tough choice for Serena to choose between the race card or the gender card. She went with the latter.
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khanzada Akhtar Munir Sep 09, 2018 09:26pm
Serena ruined the moment of celebration for Osaka during GS final. It was Osaka first GS and she deserved to have enjoyed it. Serena must admit that she was no match of Osaka through out the game, She owe her an apology for spoiling her moment of celebration.
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Mushahid Sep 09, 2018 10:17pm
Its not a matter of sexism; rather clearly racism is at play!
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Anonymouseee Sep 10, 2018 12:25am
She definitely has an attitude problem.
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UA Sep 10, 2018 03:53am
"He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’." Any notable instances where a male tennis player has called the ump a thief and gotten away with it? Do something like that in cricket and you're looking at demerit points and a fine at the very least regardless of your sex. The racket abuse violation was well deserved and happens regularly in the men's game too. As for the coaching rule, maybe it should be applied uniformly or done away with it if it is so prevalent. Nevertheless, this sort of behaviour could be expected of a rookie player. Serena is a seasoned pro. Male or female, you expect experienced players to know better. Congrats to Osaka though. Regardless of what happened, she was the better player and deserved the win. And a good gesture by Serena at the end, urging the crowd to stop booing at the youngster's first Grand Slam.
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Salman Sep 10, 2018 04:42am
Sexism ??? The person on the other side, whom she thinks was being favoured, was also of the same sex.
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TruthTeller Sep 10, 2018 08:24am
First violation: Her coach admitted after the match to giving coaching during the match. Please check his post match interview 2nd violation: Smashed her racquet in anger - that is straight forward violation of code 3rd violation: Called the chair umpire- who happens to be one of most respected chair umpires in majors - a "liar" and a "thief". If someone bothers to read the code, it is straight forward - accusing the umpires of unfairness is a verbal violation. Broke three clear rules and then tries to play the victim card when she realized she was penalized a game. Serena should know better. Osaka on the other hand was very impressive - to keep her composure during this drama in her first major final is a big big deal. Well done kido !
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Babu Sep 10, 2018 08:39am
She's turning out to be a sore loser and inappropriately using the sexism card. You can call out a bad judgement of the chair, but you cannot lose it. You've certainly lost some respect I. The world's eyes Serena
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Raj Sep 10, 2018 09:19am
Sareena fought what she thought was wrong. And clearly this umpire has something against William Sisters. She in fact asked the crowd to stop booing and cheer Osaka who won the match and played better. However she had to make a point that the coaching violation and racket abuse were unfair. And I absolutely agree with Sareena
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Fehmida Sep 10, 2018 10:05am
This is outrageous, Williams, was out of line. Using Sexism as blackmail will not help women cause.
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TruthTeller Sep 10, 2018 11:01am
@Raj Do you follow tennis as a game ? in-match coaching and racquet abuse are clear code violations. There are videos of her coach making specific gestures (in one case, clearly pointing her to step inside the court more) and he admitted in post match interview. The racquet abuse is a violation by default - every player gets it. If you follow Serena career, you will notice that she has done this before, whenever she is outplayed. Remember the foot fault case? She abused that lady as well - was its sexism then ? The chair and line umpires are doing their job - how would you feel if someone comes to your work and being a famous entitled person starts shouting at you for doing your job ?
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Labba Sep 10, 2018 04:57pm
@TruthTeller if you follow tennis, you would clearly know how on-court coaching happens in all matches. Nadal has been doing it, Djokovic has been doing it and others as well. you must have seen players breaking rackets. They are penalized but never has a game been taken away from them. Read what Roddick has said. The other players have been hurling abuses as well in many cases, but game had not been taken. Sure Serena was out of line when she was calling him thief and shouting, but there was partiality.
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