Tennis star Serena Williams has again called out the unfair double standard in the game she has loved all her life.
Naomi Osaka, a talented 20-year-old player representing Japan, defeated Williams in the U.S. Open. However, Osaka's win has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos.
Williams has been fined $17,000 for three separate code violations stemming from the incident, according to The Associated Press.
Coming out of her $1.85 million prize money, the tennis star will be docked $10,000 for “verbal abuse” (“a statement about an official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive,” as defined under Article III, Section P), $4,000 for coaching she allegedly received from the stands by Patrick Mouratoglou. For breaking her racket out of frustration, she was fined an additional $3,000.
“I didn’t get coaching,” Williams told Ramos in a heated exchange during the match. “I don’t cheat! I didn’t get coaching. How can you say that? You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life!”
How the sexism row between #SerenaWilliams and the umpire unfolded at the US Open 2018 finalhttps://t.co/CfuTRJ4HDK
pic.twitter.com/gm5NkuFviq— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 9, 2018
Fox News reports Williams lost the match and received her third penalty when she called Ramos a "thief" for taking a point from her.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner accused Ramos of sexism because she believed a male player would never be treated the way she has. Osaka played her heart out and earned her first Grand Slam in a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Williams, but the controversy remains.
That beautiful moment Serena Williams asked the fans to stop booing Naomi Osaka at the US Open Finals 2018 celebration ✊????????????❤️ #bubbles247media
pic.twitter.com/m3A1mXqLIq— Bubbles247 Media (@Bubbles247Media) September 9, 2018
Fans felt the 36-year-old player was robbed and cheated out of a fair chance to beat her young opponent.
Nothing but respect for my president pic.twitter.com/dXx2U14Yxh
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 9, 2018
(1/2) Several things went very wrong during the @usopen Women’s Finals today. Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis. It isn’t, and as a result, a player was penalized for the actions of her coach. This should not happen.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
(2/2) 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, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
Critics have pointed out every player has received coaching during the course of a game.
“I was 100% coaching” says Patrick, Serena’s coach. “Everyone does it, it’s time to to stop the discrimination Rafael’s coach does it all the time and he’s never gotten the violation”#UsOpenFinal
#SerenaVsOsaka
#SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/GSQ2RnN7d2— Daniel Gonzalez III (@TheThirdDanielG) September 8, 2018
Others couldn't help but mention the racial dynamics at play and how Williams has been treated during her career.
here's what upset me about this whole #SerenaWilliams things…
while watching @espn they said during a tease " And Serena Williams loses here mind on the court.."it amazes me that when a black woman has something to say or voices her frustration she is "losing her mind"
— Big C Got Game ???????? (@bigcgotgame) September 9, 2018
#SerenaWilliams has dominated a game that she was never invited to play PERIOD‼️ Women’s tennis now fills the seats!!! She’s told what she cannot wear,she’s drug tested more than any other player and now she’s accused of cheating, You can hear years of frustration in her voice. pic.twitter.com/eYK58SwBE8
— C O U R T N E Y ???? (@CourtneyLaTina) September 9, 2018
Williams is tired of the double standard and being a target, and so are we.
Now, check these out:
Naomi Osaka's Words Before Her Match With Idol Serena Williams Were The Best 'Fighting Words' Ever
Serena Williams Served Us Yet Another Tutu At The U.S. Open And It's A Lavender Level-Up
Serena Williams’ U.S. Open Outfit After French Open Catsuit Ban Was The Only Clapback Needed
