Serena Williams has revealed in a magazine article she needed 'therapy' after her US Open final defeat to Naomi Osaka, where she was involved in an altercation with an umpire.
Williams challenged umpire Carlos Ramos and branded him a 'thief' after the Portuguese official took away a game from the 23-time major winner for a series of conduct violations including on-court coaching.
Osaka went on to win her first grand slam title with a 6-2 6-4 win and Williams refused to shake Ramos' hand afterwards.
In the first-person article published by Harper's Bazaar, Williams said: "I started seeing a therapist. I was searching for answers, and although I felt like I was making progress, I still wasn't ready to pick up a racquet.
"Why is it that when women get passionate, they're labelled 'emotional, crazy, and irrational'," the 37-year-old American added.
"But when men do they're seen as passionate and strong?"
Osaka, who was then just 20 years old in her first major final at the US Open, was crying upon receiving the trophy as a chorus of boo's echoed around Flushing Meadows.
Williams said she has since apologised to the Japanese former world No.1 for ruining her moment and was emotionally overwhelmed by Osaka's reply.
"I realised that there was only one way for me to move forward. It was time for me to apologise to the person who deserved it the most," said Williams.
"When Naomi's response came through, tears rolled down my face."
Osaka urged Williams to keep fighting for what she believes in by saying: "People can misunderstand anger for strength because they can't differentiate between the two."
"No one has stood up for themselves the way you have and you need to continue trailblazing."
