US tennis great Billie Jean King has joined fans in rallying around Serena Williams after she called out a double standard in the application of rules by umpires relating to female and male players.
Serena Williams' hopes of winning a 24th grand slam title were dashed after extraordinary scenes at the US Open.
Serena Williams argues with chair umpire Carlos Ramos over his decision to deduct a game. Source: AAP
The American lost the final 6-2 6-4 to Naomi Osaka, who has become the first Japanese tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
But the victory was overshadowed by the three code violations handed to Williams by chair umpire Carlos Ramos during the match.
Serena Williams gestures towards tournament referee Brian Earley. Source: AAP
Williams was handed the third game penalty for verbal abuse, after calling the umpire Ramos a ‘thief’ and demanding that he issue an apology.
The interaction came after he issued a warning for a code violation relating to receiving coaching, which is prohibited in Grand Slam matches.
'I don't cheat'
Williams insists she did not know her coach was giving her instructions, saying she had "never cheated in her life".
"I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose. I'm just letting you know,” she said in protest to Ramos’ decision.
In frustration during the changeover, Williams smashed her racquet, earning another code violation and a one-point deduction.
Serena Williams of the US reacts during the final changeover. Source: AAP
That prompted the outburst that was picked up by the microphone on court.
'You're attacking my character'
"You're attacking my character. Yes you are. You owe me an apology,” she said.
“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!"
Williams claimed the discretion used by umpire Ramos was sexist, saying male players have displayed worse behaviour and escaped punishment.
"I'm not a cheater. This is not fair,” she said.
Naomi Osaka of Japan and Serena Williams of the US during the trophy ceremony. Source: AAP
“There's a lot of men out here that have said a lot of things, but because they're men that (punishment) doesn't happen to them ... Because I'm a woman, you're going to take this away from me? That is not right."
After the game, Williams said Ramos had never deducted a game from a male tennis player for calling him a thief.
She pointed to the code violation handed to Alize Cornet for changing her shirt on court earlier in the tournament as evidence of double standards within tennis.
"I can't sit here and say I wouldn't say he's a thief, because I thought he took a game from me," she said.
"But I've seen other men call other umpires several things.
The view from the crowd during the trophy ceremony. Source: AAP
'I'm here fighting for women's right'
"I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality and for all kinds of stuff,” she said.
"For me it blows my mind...This is outrageous."
William’s French coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted to ESPN he had indeed been giving Williams coaching instructions, but believed Williams had not heard them as she had not looked in his direction.
He said Osaka’s coach, Sascha Bajin, was also giving advice to his player.
"If I'm honest I was coaching, I don't think she looked at me," he said. "Sascha was coaching every point too."
Billie Jean King praises Williams
Billie Jean King said there is a clear double standard in the way the rules are applied to women and men.
Naomi Osaka, left, of Japan, and Serena Williams, right, pose with Billie Jean King before the women's finals. Source: AP
“When a woman is emotional, she's 'hysterical' and she's penalized for it,” she said in a message posted on Twitter, adding that if a male had a similar outburst, there would be no penalty.
Former professional tennis player James Blake admits that he has said worst things than Williams during a match and escaped penalty.
Sports reporters, commentators: a fair take
Sports columnist for the Washington Post Sally Jenkins was scathing in her rebuke of umpire Carlos Ramos’ handling of the situation.
She described the awarding of penalties for relatively minor infractions as “pure pettiness” and an “abuse of power”.
“An umpire so wrecked a big occasion that both players, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams alike, wound up distraught with tears streaming down their faces during the trophy presentation and an incensed crowd screamed boos at the court,” Ms Jenkins wrote.
ESPN reporter Pam Shriver told the New York Times’ Williams claim that sexism was behind the harsh penalty was “in this day and age, a fair take”.
She said while Serena is to blame for what ensued, the umpire did not fulfil his role to maintain order.
“One of the main roles of an umpire is to keep order in a match, and order was lost,” she said.
“Serena has some certain blame for it, because she couldn’t let go. She felt she was wronged.”
Williams' outburst criticised
Others who watched the match felt no sympathy for Williams.
A former vice-president of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Richard Ings, defended the decisions by umpire Ramos, saying the penalties are "warranted".
Fans rally around Williams
Fans shared their anger and frustration, pointing to examples of double standards.
Some social media users urged male tennis players to back Serena Williams.
Other social media users said sexist behavioural stereotypes should have no place in the sport.
Fans were determined to see the positive, praising Williams and Osaka for their conduct in standing up for each other.
