Another Serena US Open Blow-up Mars Osaka Win in Final

by Jeremy Davis | September 8th, 2018, 9:54 pm
  • 49 Comments

It was going to be a historic night for Serena Williams Saturday at the US Open. And it was.
ADHEREL
Not unlike past US Open blow-ups, Serena Williams lost her cool, and combined with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou to lose the final.

Let’s unpack this.

Naomi Osaka came out swinging and took the first set 6-2. Then in the second game of the second set, chair umpire Carlos Ramos gave Williams a warning as he was clearly illegally coaching with hand signals from the stands.


Williams then blew up at the chair umpire, yelling that she was not a cheater as her ego took over. Soon after she broke her racquet for a second code violation (point penalty), then in a later argument with the chair umpire called him a “thief,” resulting in a game violation.

Serena alternated yelling and crying at the tournament referee in the corner of the court, then sat holding back tears on the changeover. Osaka was leading 5-4.

The 20-year-old Osaka served out the match 6-2, 6-4 to become the first player from Japan to win a Grand Slam singles title.

A dumpster-fire of a trophy ceremony saw the crowd booing and Osaka crying. Williams to her credit told the crowd to stop booing, but the damage had been done.

Serena then in her post-match conference accused Ramos of being sexist and held herself up as fighting sexism for women across the planet. Cue another Nike commercial.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things,” Serena said. “I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. 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’.

“For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women and to fight for us to have equal — like Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous.”

Osaka for her part saw a joyous occasion fall into the dumpster fire.

“I think maybe in a few days I’ll realize what I’ve done,” she told the media afterwards. “Right now it just feels, like, I don’t know. Aside from the fact there’s a lot of press in this room, it feels just like another tournament.”

The 20-year-old Osaka won her first Grand Slam title, and Williams remains a title short of tying the all-time record of 24 Slams set by Margaret Court. She has lost two consecutive Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.

The Serena camp arguments were that coaching is illegal, but everyone does it. And that she said offensive things worthy of a code violation, but that “the men do worse.”

“There are men out here that do a lot worse, but because I’m a woman, because I’m a woman, you’re going to take this away from me?” Serena said on court to officials. “That is not right.”

The WTA agreed, issuing a statement that ended with “Serena at all times plays with class and makes us proud.”

Really?

Like that time she told the US Open lineswoman she wanted to shove a tennis ball down her f*****g throat?

Serena’s coach in the end was also blameless. He said yes he was illegally coaching from the stands, but the chair umpire should have simply told him to stop breaking the rules.

“That’s what umpires do all year,” Mouratoglou said, “and it would have ended there and we would have avoided a drama that was totally avoidable.”

Pity Naomi Osaka who as US Open champion had to endure the boos raining down from fans through her tears.

Who’s right? It’s pretty easy to see who’s wrong. We’re sure Twitter will figure this out.


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49 Comments for Another Serena US Open Blow-up Mars Osaka Win in Final

SG1 Says:

Embarrassing behaviour by Serena. Proof that being great doesn’t guarantee you have any class at all. She’s not a role model and her coach was, while being honest, didn’t exactly distinguish himself when he said that racket breaking was okay. Espn analysts then tried to rationalize the behaviour making it all the more embarrassing.

The only class act was Osaka. She outplayed Serena at every turn. The usta with all its glitz , glamour, pomp and circumstance couldn’t outshine the shy girl from japan.


Czarlazar Says:

The blowup in 2009, when she was getting her fat ass whipped by Kim Clijsters, was far from unrepresentative. Serena’s foul mouth and red hot temper was again on full display at the 2011 US Open final, again in the middle of a sound ass whipping: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/14876919

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=serena+berates+umpire+2011+us+open+final+you+tube&
&view=detail&mid=4B5AD17653152609DDDA
4B5AD17653152609DDDA&rvsmid=C64C66AEC911EFB8650FC64
C66AEC911EFB8650F&FORM=VDRVRV

Bottom line is no matter how much the media contrive to present her as a classy tennis icon and role model to young girls, Serena is boorish and egotistical and shows her true self during every blow up. Congrats to Naomi for prevailing in spite of her opponent’s poor sportsmanship.


Madmax Says:

This was not pleasant to watch. :-(


Mystic - Willow Says:

Osakas win has sadly been over shadowed by Serena and her out burst, i hope she aplogizes to Naomi with a bunch of flowers ….


Wog Boy Says:

No much sympathy for The Bully on the evening news, some of the words “lost with a lack of grace” “ leaving her legacy in tatters”…but I guess they are haters on Channel 9, no?
General reaction on TV and public is even worse (they are all haters), she (not Ramos) basically ruined the greatest moment in Osaka’s life by instigating crowd to boo her with her behavior, she should be ashamed.


Dret Says:

I will never understand why people like this woman.


WTF Says:

Serena, not for the first time has just ruined someone else’s grand slam moment. History was made tonight. The first ever Japanese woman just got crowned a grand slam champion. She should have been celebrating, but instead it was an awkward ceremony with all of the spotlight on Serena and her antics.

This is classless.

And the umpire was absolutely correct in his decision. The coaching was obvious, and the coach himself admitted to it. The second code violation for a racquet smash was also legit. And the third penalty for verbal abuse was also deserved. To play the sexism card is to look for an excuse for a deserved loss. Has she no shame?

A female umpire would have and should have issued the same code violations that the chair umpire did. If this was Soccer, she would have been red carded for that kind of abuse, and actually much less.

She called him a thief for stealing a point from her. But that point penalty for racquet abuse was absolutely justified. And the coaching was also undeniable.

As an elder statesman for the game, and one of the most decorated players in WTA history, she should be setting a better example. Federer is by no means perfect. He does have the rare misdemeanor. But he has a lot more class than she does, and she could learn a thing or two from him.


Giles Says:

Was she wearing her tutu? Lol


Dret Says:

I heard Serena is writing a narcissists guid on how to lose matches.
It’s called “mememe”.


Hm Says:

She’s been an unbearable monster on tour for nearly 20 years and adoring clowns still act surprised.
Give her more obscene riches for hitting a ball around and more media attention, I’m sure it will fix the problem.


Maturanita Says:

Serena is such an egomaniac that she feels that even the sport of tennis is beneath her. How much abuse are the powers that be going to allow this disgusting competitor to get away with? Chrissie Evert was justifying her actions yesterday. Bills Jean King didn’t say a word regarding this unpleasant incident. They all let Serena get away with murded, and that is why she believes she is untouchable. Well, Ōsaka did touch her! Furthermore, she humiliated her


John Springer Says:

A perfect example of why you shouldn’t idolise anyone, man or woman. The liberal media portrays Mr Serena Williams as a goddess with no weaknesses, when in reality he is an entitled athlete having a temper tantrum.


Czarlazar Says:

Steroids and entitlement, a volatile mixture. And the sexism card always at the ready. Quite a role model, isn’t she?


Humble Rafa Says:

Apologists like Skeeze, BBB and others of this ilk have checked into a rehab. That’s why you don’t see them.


skeezer Says:

I get it, from the other threads it’s mostly Novak fans can’t stand Serena. But get yer facts in line;
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/tennis/news/us-open-serena-williams-backed-billie-jean-king-bjk-carlos/8dooquf7qkie1ibfprmosqh3e


skeezer Says:

Not apologizing for Serenas behavior, but what led to it if you really did watch it was the ump let her continue to rant and rave drom the get go. Get your players in line dude, and be consistent when someone is berating you or breaking rules. Why wasn’t this guy working Rafa’s matches all this years not taking games away from Rafa? The rules, and lazy enforcements sucks. Now you have rightlful blame on both sides. Men get to act like Serena and all is ok? Not in this world.


Giles Says:

^^ Hey dude. Why always talking about Rafa? # closetfan.
Always, always, bringing Rafa’s name.
Serena is a cheat and so is her coach. Well done Ramos ( even though I’m no fan of his)


skeezer Says:

^ Rafa ( more notoriously his Unc ) have been caught and penalized for on court coaching, That’s why. So who is the cheater?


skeezer Says:

And this:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/45463752

Is what point I am trying to make. I think most everyone views are shared here are in this article but overall something has to change ( and not just Serena or umps, but rules and the enforcement there of ).
As Sue soi eloquently says “You can’t have one rule for some players and some umpires don’t adhere to it and allow players to get away with things. They’ve just got to be fair to the players.

“Tennis was the loser and we lost what was potentially a fantastic match”


Giles Says:

Serena Williams is a cheat and a bully. She showed her class last night or rather lack of it.
Poor Naomi.


Giles Says:

^^ Dude, always talking in the past. Talk about last nite.


Giles Says:

Surely a simple solution or as near as damit, would be to seat the coaches as far away from the court as possible? Thus avoiding eye contact? Just a thought.


Giles Says:

How about Lubijic, I’ve seen him coaching but the umpire didn’t.


chris ford1 Says:

The sainted BJK is another PC “mouth” that normally should be disregarded in these sort of matters.


skeezer Says:

“Dude, always talking in the past. Talk about last nite.”
Dude, everyone is bringing up Serena’s past, Ump’s past, where you been? BTW, last nite was already “the past”.

“How about Lubijic, I’ve seen him coaching but the umpire didn’t.”
That is the point Giles, more than likely everyone does it if they can get away with it, why not?… and who’s fault is that? The players, the coaches? A long as it is not consistently enforced with everyone, it really shouldn’t be enforced, no? Just sayin as said before, there is a bigger picture at play at you got what you got as a result, an ugly finish and the robbing of a young woman’s triumph in a GS. To me this lies with the organizers, the directors the tour and the Umps. Who is over these ridiculous rules anyways? Get with the times. After several Mcenroe incidents you’d think they would have figured it out. Nope, still stuck in the 80-‘s. Either enforce them fairly, or get rid of them.


Giles Says:

^^ What do you think of. my suggestion to seat coaches as far away from the courts as possible?


Amit Says:

New york crowd can never be more classless.. sheesh!! 😕😕😕


Amit Says:

No matter how much the crowd booes, it is the loser! Serena got @rse handed by osaka, hahaha 😂😂


Django Says:

The American commentators are afraid of losing their jobs. They will defend until the end. Everyone is walking on eggshells with Serena but that’s the way it usually goes with narcissists.


BBB Says:

Tennis Channel posted the rule.

“Players shall not receive coaching during a match.”

Serena was required to “receive” the coaching. It’s not phrased as the coach sending a signal – it’s only a violation if the player in fact receives it.

The evidence is that Serena wasn’t even looking at her box. And therefore did not “receive” the coaching.

I write laws and treaties for a living.

Fail.


chris ford1 Says:

BBB – you may write laws and treaties for a job but that does not imply familiarity with Tennis rules by the ITF as adjusted by the WTA and ATP.

All it takes for a rules violation is the tennis coach or others in the box giving signals. The umpire only has one set of eyes obviously, and can’t look at the player and the stands in the same instant.

If an ump thinks a need to quash coaching is called for, they are trained to look at the coach and not assume every glance a player shoots their team is coaching.


BBB Says:

Tennis rules “as adjusted? What does that even mean? Who “adjusts” rules?

The whole point is that the rules must be clear so that you know how to comply with them. Not so that they can “adjusted” in an arbitrary and capricious manner.

You don’t understand due process, do you?


Wog Boy Says:

There was short video last night on the news here where The Bully stands to receive the serve and 3-4 times took her eyes off Osaka and focused on her box and her coach while he was showing with his hands what to do and where to play, they even did it in slow motion, Ramos wouldn’t penalize her if he hasn’t seen it. I guess everyone hates Serena, even Aussie TV Channels.
Give it brake people, she couldn’t handle it (defeat) and ruined it for Osaka. She is repeated offender, she owes apology to Osaka first and then to Ramos. The sooner she finishes playing the better for WTA.


Wog Boy Says:

I am surprised that people in their right mind believe that Mouratouglu was coaching her without making sure she is looking at him, that’s loughable. First you make sure you have eye contact and then you coach the player, you don’t send a dignels unless you are sure she can see you, he is not an idiot.


Wog Boy Says:

^^ signals and not dignels


Humble Rafa Says:

BBB,

We are all praying for mental sanity. Take care.


Humble Rafa Says:

American journalists and former players are loyalists. They see no rules, only ways to support their country’s players. Everyone saw a racket smashed, coach coaching, and an umpire getting abused. Some people see racism, gender discrimination, mommy discrimination, etc. Some people see an out of control entitled tennis player who cannot handle defeat with a long history of such behavior.


StarvingActor Says:

Can we please stop with the name calling? I see words like “monster”, “he”, “steroids” in conjunction with Serena. You reveal more about yourself, when you say these things, coz none are true.

I think Serena’s behavior speaks for itself. It seemed very self important and grandiose to me. So he issued a code violation for coaching. She gave him a nice piece of her mind right away. Let it be that. Move on.

I hate that she’s making this a woman’s equality issue. Equality for what? Behaving just as boorish as the male players – although I will point out, love em or hate em, NONE of the top male players of this generation, and perhaps even the previous one behave as poorly as Serena does.

She ruined it for everyone.


Van Persie Says:

Haha,

Looks like Serena did learn a thing or 2 from Nasty :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXkWoMZwBfE


Van Persie Says:

The difference btw Nasty and Serena: he never did BS on court for the “world’s justice”.


Van Persie Says:

P.S.

Nasty is a dad :)


Humble Rafa Says:

Has anyone checked on Patrick Mouratoglou? I am concerned for him.


Van Persie Says:

HR,

We should see if he will still be “The COACH” for Eurosport. He did not very manage very well at WTA UO 2018 Finals ;)


Van Persie Says:

^^ Maybe they will hire Tony Nadal instead ;)


Giles Says:

^^ Nah, Toni is coaching at the Rafa Nadal Academy.


Humble Rafa Says:

All of you people have no manners. He is “Uncle Toni”, he is uncle to everyone. Calling him as Toni is disrespectful. Stop it.


skeezer Says:

“Has anyone checked on Patrick Mouratoglou? I am concerned for him.”
Should be in communique with Toni on how to handle these things.


Humble Rafa Says:

Should be in communique with Toni on how to handle these things.

I treat Uncle Toni with respect. That can’t said of the Big Lady and Mr. Patrick.

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