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Serena Williams may not have won the 2018 US Open, but people are still talking about her final match, in which umpire Carlos Ramos gave Williams three questionable code violations. Some of the voices that have entered the conversation are from male tennis stars who have admitted that they’ve never faced the kind of penalization as Williams for even worse behavior.
If you missed the September 8 upset, the first penalty came after Ramos suspected that the tennis star’s coach was sending her signals while she was on the court, something that is against the rules. Williams promptly informed Ramos that she doesn’t cheat to win; she’d rather lose.
Williams was then given a point penalty when she smashed her racket, and in return, Williams called Ramos a “thief.” This prompted Ramos to give her a “verbal abuse” penalty. Williams later implied that his actions were caused by sexism.
"I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose."
—Serena to the chair umpire after receiving a coaching violation pic.twitter.com/v6Q2GWYYOn
— espnW (@espnW) September 8, 2018
“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things,” Williams said in her post-match press conference. “He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief.'”
Male tennis stars agree. Andy Roddick took to Twitter to respond to a user questioning Williams’ claim. The tennis star wrote, “I’ve regrettably said worse and I’ve never gotten a game penalty.”
I’ve regrettably said worse and I’ve never gotten a game penalty
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 9, 2018
When ESPN Senior Writer Ramona Shelburne noted that it “would be nice if some of Serena’s male counterparts had her back and admitted they’ve said a lot worse to the umpire,” former pro player James Blake tweeted, “I will admit I have said worse and not gotten penalized.”
He added, “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.”
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
What do you think about the fact that male tennis stars have said worse things than Serena Williams but have not been penalized? Let us know @BritandCo.
(photo via Elsa/Getty Image)
