I’ve not said shit about what happened to Serena at the U.S. Open, but let me be clear. The warning, point, and game penalty are all legitimate tennis “fouls”, and were correctly applied in the order in which they’re supposed to be applied… *takes deep breath*
HOWEVER, after 20+ years of playing, it’s notoriously known that Serena doesn’t and hasn’t ever got on-court coaching, even when it’s allowed and she’s losing. Never.
You’ve got to keep in mind that this is the woman who was so blatantly cheated in a 2004 U.S. Open quarterfinal, that the umpire was dismissed, and they were forced to implement a system to challenge the line calls.
This is no exaggeration. I’ve watched tennis for the past 18 years or so, like clockwork. No exaggeration… I’ve watched in class, church, school, clubs, parties, gatherings, probates, the shower (don’t ask), and even at work; and I’ve NEVER seen a player go from a warning to point penalty to game penalty in a matter of games, let alone the same set.
Sound judgment was not applied here. It’s a Grand Slam Final and a player is going for an all-time record in her sport, and you chose to apply the rules THAT tough? The officiating was horrid. Never once did Carlos Ramos attempt to explain what a coaching violation entails (remember, she’s never gotten one). Also, after Serena tells him she’s never cheated, he nodded her off as if they were squared away but then assessed her a point for the racquet smash, and still didn’t explain how or why he did it. Communication is paramount but even NBA Refs take the time to fully explain a call to a player or coach if/when need be.
Am I about to play the “but this player did that…” game? Yes, yes I am.
Novak Djokovic is notoriously known for yelling at his player’s box and at ball kids, however no name-calling or mockeries are hurled at him.
Karolina Pliskova lost a match after getting a bad call on a clay court and at the end of the match she and the umpire did not shake hands, and she proceeds to whack the chair the umpire is sitting in 3 times with her racquet, frightening her opponent. No suspension or outcries for bad behavior.
Rafael Nadal threatened to have the same umpire from Saturday removed from his matches and said some not-so-nice Spanish words. No penalty, no warning.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” – Novak Djokovic, as he waves his racquet (not finger) in his direction, to the same man who took such offense to Serena calling him a “thief”, that he gave her a game penalty.
Was Serena out of line? Perhaps… but for the last 20+ years, her skills have been belittled to brute strength instead of IQ and strategizing, and rumors of steroids. She’s been called “a man”, “tranny”, “hermaphrodite”, as well as being told to play on the men’s tour, mocked for her body, called racial slurs, disrespected by peers, coaches, and commentators alike; yet, regardless of it all, they’ve never been able to question the legitimacy of her incredible win/loss record, and how she’s solved many puzzles.
What you saw on Saturday wasn’t a meltdown or a simple overreaction. It was a Black woman holding on to the one piece of her reputation that has never been questioned. If you’ve never faced persecution for things beyond your control (upbringing, body type, skin tone, etc…), save me the self-righteousness regarding Serena Williams.
The very thing that’s made Serena Williams, Serena Williams, is how many times she’s been on the brink of defeat and found ways to win. Yes, she was losing when this debacle took place, but the umpire inserting himself the way he did took away from Osaka’s win or potentially one of the most special comebacks in Serena’s career. One thing he couldn’t take was Serena Williams’ desire to stand up for herself, and she did exactly that.
