Serena Williams backed by women’s tennis bosses as she claims US Open umpire was sexist
WTA supremo Steve Simon demands Williams and Co are treated equally to men after umpire Carlos Ramos sent her into an amazing meltdown with a warning before docking a game
WOMEN’S tennis bosses are supporting Serena Williams in her US Open sexism row.
WTA chief executive Steve Simon said the under-fire American has his full backing following the astonishing end to Saturday’s final against Japanese winner Naomi Osaka.
Williams was hit with a £13,000 fine for verbally abusing umpire Carlos Ramos, who had sent the 23-time Grand Slam winner into a meltdown after initially warning her for being illegally coached.
She will receive no further punishment but the world No 16, who was docked a game after continuing to disgracefully blast the official, claimed it would have been different if it was a men’s match.
Simon agreed and said: “The WTA believes there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs women.
“We are committed to working with the sport to ensure all players are treated the same. We do not believe this was done.”
USTA president Katrina Adams — who was ridiculed for hailing Williams’ “class and sportsmanship” despite watching the 36-year-old smash her racket and call Ramos a “liar” and a “thief” — also reckons there are double standards.
She told ESPN: “We see the guys do it all the time, they’re badgering the umpire on the changeovers, nothing happens.
“There’s no equality. There has to be some consistency. We have to treat each other fairly.
"Serena’s behaviour was not welcome but when you look at Carlos in this situation, it’s a judgment call to give that last penalty because she called him a thief. They’ve been called a lot more.”
But men’s US Open champion Novak Djokovic did not agree.
He said: “Maybe the umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit but I don’t see things as Mr Simon does.
“I think men and women are treated in this way or the other way depending on the situation.”
Former umpire and ex-ATP Tour executive vice-president Richard Ings added: “Ramos made absolutely the correct calls in each of the three incidents.
“They had nothing to do with sexism or racism. They had everything to do with observing clear breaches of the Grand Slam code of conduct.
“It was one of the best officiating jobs I’ve seen in years. Williams owes an apology to Ramos, not the other way around.”
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Tennis legend Martina Navratilova backed Ramos and claimed Williams “lost the plot” on court and was wrong to play the ‘sexism’ card.
The game’s governing body, the ITF, also supported the umpire’s actions.
An ITF statement read: “Mr Ramos’ decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules and were reaffirmed by the US Open’s decision to fine Serena Williams for the three offences.
“Mr Ramos acted at all times with professionalism and integrity.”