Culture

Did A Sexist Umpire Call Just Cost Serena Williams The US Open?

"Because I'm a woman you're going to take this away from me?"

by Max Koslowski  9 September 2018
Serena Williams Sexist

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Tennis legend Serena Williams has lost the US Open to first-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka in a controversial match in which Williams was docked a game for multiple code violations — an umpire decision that some are calling sexist.

Williams’ code violations were kicked off when umpire Carlos Ramos handed the superstar a warning for receiving “coaching” from her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Footage shows Mouratoglou making hand gestures in Williams’ supporters booth. After the match, Mouratoglou admitted that he had been trying to guide Williams, but he said he hadn’t thought Williams had seen his hand movements.

On the court, Williams responded strongly to the umpiring decision.

“You stole a point from me, you’re a thief,” she told umpire Ramos.

Ramos handed Williams another warning for “verbal abuse” — a claim Williams believed had sexist undertones.

“How many other men do things… I know men who do much worse than that. There’s a lot of men out here who say much worse things,” she said to match officials on the court.

“Because I’m a woman you’re going to take this away from me? That is not right.”

In a post-match press conference, Williams doubled down.

“I can’t sit here and say I would’t say he’s a thief because I thought he took a game from me. But I’ve seen other men call umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and  women’s equality,” Williams told gathered press. “For me to say thief and for him to take a game… for me it blows my mind.”

Earlier in the US Open, Frenchwoman Alize Cornet was fined for briefly removing her shirt in order to put it on the right way. Critics called the violation sexist — men were allowed to take their shirts off on court.

And in response to officials banning her use of a black catsuit, Williams rocked up to the US Open this year wearing… a tutu.