Twenty-year-old Naomi Osaka beat tennis icon Serena Williams at the 2018 US Open final, making her Japan's first slam winner.
While Williams spoke graciously to Osaka, she had some choice words for umpire Carlos Ramos who she declared a 'liar' and a 'thief'.
Williams has accused the umpire of sexism after she was fined $17,000, docked a point for verbal abuse, had a point penalty for racquet smashing and a code violation for coaching.
When asked in her press conference if she would have done things differently, Williams said:
"For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.
"He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief'. It blows my mind."
Since then the Women's Tennis Association has come out in support of Serena and WTA chief executive Steve Simon released a statement: "The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men versus women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same.
"We do not believe that this was done last night."
Celebrities, athletes and tennis fans alike have since taken to Twitter to share their opinion on the matter.
Alicia Keys
.@serenawilliams You are THE epitome of grace and prowess!!! You are an inspiration to all of us. Your purpose to be a leader and a light is a gift to the world!! We love you and thank you for sharing your greatness and spirit ! Congratulations Queen!!! 🔥🔥👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽✨✨ pic.twitter.com/2DclKRe2Xr
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) September 9, 2018
Billie Jean King
(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
Susanna Reid
Many people saying Serena Williams was justly punished. No. She was punished more harshly than a man, as male tennis players have admitted. There is unconscious bias at work here - some expect "better" behaviour from women & that's #EverydaySexism.
— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) September 10, 2018
Andy Roddick
Worst refereeing I’ve ever seen ...... the worst !!!
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 8, 2018
and...
I’ve regrettably said worse and I’ve never gotten a game penalty
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 9, 2018
James Blake
I will admit I have said worse and not gotten penalized. And I’ve also been given a "soft warning" by the ump where they tell you knock it off or I will have to give you a violation. He should have at least given her that courtesy. Sad to mar a well played final that way. https://t.co/xhBzFZX8Wq
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 9, 2018
Marcella Arguello
"Maybe it didn’t work out for me but it’s gonna work out for the next person" WOMEN FIGHTING FOR OTHER WOMEN IS BEYOND A MOOD IT’S AN ENTIRE LIFESTYLE https://t.co/Uh3pk47lYX
— Marcella Arguello (@marcellacomedy) September 9, 2018
Josh Billinson
I guess sometimes it’s a meltdown and other times it’s just arguing a strike 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/I3ZyxBMzGT
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) September 8, 2018
Preston Mitchum
I’m so sick of the media’s language re: #SerenaWilliams. She wasn’t having a "meltdown" or a "breakdown." She’s sick of people treating her differently from white women players and from white men. That is calling out racism and sexism, not a breakdown or meltdown. Stop.
— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) September 9, 2018
Jill Lawrence
Convincing case (with many examples) from @kurtbardella: Blatant sexism cost #SerenaWilliams potentially historic #tennis title. Men do much worse and get celebrated for their "passion." https://t.co/OGBf1ttQsM via @usatoday @usatodayopinion #USOpenFinal #USOpen18 #USOpenTennis
— Jill Lawrence (@JillDLawrence) September 9, 2018
Jude Al-Safadi
can you spot the difference? #SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/YieZjc76Hi
— Jude Al-Safadi (@Judesaf) September 10, 2018
Huffington Post
"Let’s not boo anymore. We’re going to get through this," Serena told the audience. https://t.co/Zc987W5BtP
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) September 10, 2018
However, not everybody was a fan of Serena's actions...
Maureen Reiser
I don’t know why anyone is cool with #SerenaWilliams behaviour. She was wrong, abusive and embarrassing. While I’ve been a fan, she was a sore loser and she ruined a beautiful moment for #NaomiOsaka !
— Maureen Reiser (@rubysunoco) September 10, 2018
Tancredi Palmeri
In case you don’t know, Naomi Osaka idol is Serena Williams.
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) September 10, 2018
So idol, that way before meeting her, Osaka used to declare that Serena was not only the idol, but the reason why she started playing tennis.
Which reminds me the wise suggestion of never meet your idols
David Heth
"I can’t accept there is sexism. She had the point docked for smashing the racket. She got a point docked for calling him a thief. If you call an umpire referee a cheat and a thief in any sport, you will be sanctioned." @davidheth on Serena Williams #TheDrum pic.twitter.com/J3kenFvKZo
— ABC The Drum (@ABCthedrum) September 10, 2018
Andy West
So #SerenaWilliams is penalised after her coach cheated to give her a sporting advantage. Then she verbally attacks the umpire and smashes her racquet. Then she claims she's the victim because of her gender. This kind of cynicism is what weakens feminism. https://t.co/CTrdadmrrh
— Andy West (@AndyWestTV) September 9, 2018
Booby Umar
I love tennis & #SerenaWilliams but she, the USTA & fans blew it 👎🏽
— Bobby Umar | Keynote Speaker (@raehanbobby) September 9, 2018
"I’m sorry," Osaka said. "I know that everyone was cheering for her and I’m sorry it had to end like this."
It's shameful what US Open did to Naomi Osaka https://t.co/FkxLoBI2v3 #USOpen2018 #USOpenTennis
Fatima Madsen
Oh, how the proud have fallen. It was nothing but an epic meltdown of someone who could not deal with the fact that their time has come to stop playing as age has caught up. And in prime sports, age matters.#SerenaWilliams #Unhinged pic.twitter.com/liqAxL16ge
— FatimaⓂ️ (@FatimaMadsen1) September 9, 2018
You can get the full news story on Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka here.
