Ah, the RULES!! Yes, we must never forget the rules. Unless of course you're a tennis umpire who fails to call the rules consistently and decides that a good time to make such a bush league call is in a Grand Slam Final.
7
This match reminds me of Sampras-McEnroe match when young Sampras was coming up. A change of guards. The difference was that McEnroe was a gracious (though valiant) loser.
9
I wonder if this situation would be getting as much attention in the NYT and elsewhere if it involved two men. There's a strong whiff of "cat fight" in the media coverage, with all the sexism that term connotes.
2
Good for you Naomi. Congratulations are your hard fought victory. One word of advice? You might want to find someone else to be your hero. In fact, you might try looking in the mirror. Your behavior throughout the event was exemplary and emblematic of a true champion.
46
The admirable Osaka did have her breakthrough moment, just not the kind expected. What a powerful moment for her. Complicated, no doubt, seemingly diminished at the conclusion of the match, but in fact a breakthrough that will only make her stronger, more powerful, with the passage of time. She not only overcame her idol, with quiet dignity, strength, and grace-- exactly the virtues the greatest woman tennis player of all time couldn't summon under the pressure --but proved to herself, and to everyone watching, that pretty much nothing can get to her, throw her off-balance, knock her off course. Who will deny her now!
18
Naomi deserves her win. She played magnificently! Serena (a great champion) lost her cool and was clearly out-played.
23
I can not possibly describe my disgust at how many are giving Serena Wlilliams a free pass for her childish spoiled brat behavior on Saturday. Before anybody gets on their high horse about sexism (a very convenient cop-out) I criticized John McEnroe for years for the very same temper tantrums. American athletes apparently are sadly lacking in good sportsmanship these days. This boorish behavior is fast becoming far too common. When someone knocks them off their golden pedestals; they just go berserk. Part of playing sports used to be about building character. Win with grace; lose with dignity. Boy; where did lesson ever go? No; it is all about ME,ME, ME these days apparently. What a sad example for the kids! What was lost (and CANNOT be recovered) was a truly beautiful display of tennis by Naomi Osaka. She not only had her moment of triumph stolen by Williams melt down, but had to endure the Serena worshipers reigning BOOS down on the trophy ceremony. It was a pathetic spectacle. If this is an example of what sportsmanship means to Americans these days; then SHAME ON YOU!
52
Serena shouldn’t have lost her cool but Katrina Adams, chairman of UST, Is a disgrace. What’s this about “Perhaps it’s not the finish we were looking for today, but Serena, you are a champion of all champions.” Bias much?
22
The behaviour of the fans to boo was so utterly disgusting.
25
There's no question that Serena selfishly stole the limelight from Naomi, embarrassing and disgracing herself in the process. And it was truly sad to hear Naomi apologize to the crowd for winning. But given Naomi's obvious modesty and humbleness, combined with her idolization of Serena, one has to wonder if, even without Serena's histrionic sideshow, she would have truly rejoiced in her victory. I'm guessing not. More than likely, she still would have felt bad to some degree. As it turned out, she not only defeated her idol at tennis, but rendered her an emotional wreck. It must have been truly painful for her to witness, and something that may haunt her for some time to come, if not forever. Even at the press conference, she said that Serena was still her idol. I can only hope that as she continues to mature, she will eventually come to own her successes, while having no doubt that, one way or the other, she'll remain humble and gracious. We need more champions like Naomi Osaka, and fewer like Serena Williams.
24
As unlikely as it might sound, a big part of the problem with the Serena Williams of September 8th and, more importantly, the empty-headed crowd that booed the relentlessly dignified Naomi Osaka during and after her well-earned, monumental victory is America's obsession with its all-too portable politics. Ms.Williams and the defenders of her inexcusable behavior that late afternoon were drunk on memes and themes and hot-button issues and culture wars. Serena "I Have a Daughter" Williams wasn't playing a tennis match rather she was "fighting for women's rights and women's equality." And the trump-like rally goers in the stands weren't there to see a tennis match. They were there to see motherhood and the #metoo movement win the day. It seems these days Americans can't ride a bicycle without it becoming a self-righteous, political statement. As a result, the only "thief" that day was the mom-and-the-mob that deprived the real champion of her greatest moment in her young life. I so look forward to watching Naomi Osaka play tennis, just tennis, for many years to come.
45
So true. Osaka’s grand slam win should have been celebrated but was hugely overshadowed by Serena’s epic temper tantrum.
23
If you really look at her past behavior on the court, it's really hard to imagine how she got away with her dehumanizing treatment of game officials for this long. She should be the last person to complain about sexism as she herself was allowed to get away with some of the most boorish behavior one could imagine.
Clarey's piece brings some refreshing breath of air amidst a climate when most tennis commentators/ex-players (Martina being the exception) have either remained gutlessly silent on Serena's temper tantrums/threatening behavior or have shamelessly come to her defense.
I just wanted to ask one single question to those who do not see anything wrong with Serena's actions on the court on Saturday: Would you or would you let your daughters behave that way in front of the whole world watching?
For me, Serena Williams would be the last person to be a role mode either for my daughter or granddaughter.
36
It was the great Chrissie Evert who as a TV commentator called it first, that Osaka outplayed Williams throughout the entire match. Even a non-player like myself could see that. No question that Naomi earned the win and deserved more than the crowd gave her,.
32
Serena has always been a sore loser,further confirmed now , when she is even using the opportunity to drag race and gender into it. Grace has only come to her when she is ahead. That’s easy. Generosity in defeat. Now that’s sportsmanship.
38
Osaka’s win was well deserved and that should be the story here. Williams’ temper tantrum was a sideshow that should be forgotten. The umpire was not responsible for her loss, she was fairly beaten by a better player.
33
Both the competitors were women. The previous champion was out of control and was penalized appropriately. Too bad Ramos was the first referee to do his job.
Osaka deserved better. She played brilliantly!
31
Yes, Serena got upset. She is a competitor who was grinding with less than her best stuff against a younger self in Osaka. Serena recovered and hugged Osaka and told the crowd to support her. Serena has had a long career at the top so there are going to be occasions that we can recall where she was not at her best, but those occur over years in the spotlight.
Serena is tennis’s biggest draw. We didn’t tune in to see the umpire or Osaka( as potentially great that she might be).
Serena doesn’t need to be held to higher standards than President’s or CEOs. Maybe, we should have golden parachutes for great tennis players.
3
@Gary Serena must play to the standards and rules of the US Open, not presidents or CEOs. I watched the match to see great tennis by whomever, not a truculent diva who wants her own rules.
13
I can’t believe the fans booed Osaka, but, I guess that falls in line with the general callousness people are accepting these days.
Williams was out of line. In many ways.
42
Firstly, what are you talking about Ramos’, a “stickler of the rules.” Consistency means nothing in your reporting? Why haven’t you done your “due diligence”? Since this episode it’s been shown all over YouTube of men players cursing him out (yes HIM), throwing tantrums and they were not penalized, much less a game. He is far far more to blame. Umpires are not to be the focus as he chose to make it. You talk about Serena’s (and Patrick’s) failure to adhere to the rules, but nary a mention of his failure! The appropriate way to deal with it was to give her a warning, simply, no more Serena, or words of that sort. If she persisted, ALL would now be on his side.
I can’t help but notice you are male, so without saying more, I leave you with one question: Do you think the same this totally sad destructive (to both women) disaster would have happened by the umpire if she were a woman? Decidedly No.
3
@Marsha - interesting i can't find any youtubes that you speak of. But i have found plenty of articles of his similar calls on men. Including Novak being called for coaching and for being docked a game point.
http://larrybrownsports.com/tennis/umpire-carlos-ramos-history-code-viol...
25
Serena Williams was Naomi Osaka's idol. On Friday when asked how she would respond to Ms Williams; what she wanted to tell her, she responded by saying, surprisingly/unexpectedly, "I love you!" That was a class act, from a champion. Despite Williams's formidable presence, Osaka played coolly, winning the match in straight sets.
Williams knew after playing a few games she wouldn't win the match. Her outbursts were probably from her fear that she may never win another Grand Slam as long as Osaka would be there to play at just about every match, that Osaka was that good.
Too bad Serena Williams couldn't be a good sport. Then again, when you realize, maybe for the first time in Serena Williams's carrier, you would not win another Grand Slam, she should be excused for her outbursts.
Let us all wish Naomi Osaka a great carrier, that she may prove to be the greatest female tennis player, at least for say, ten years!
15
Serena Williams, Ty Cobb: dominating athletes, boorish personalities both.
14
I feel like there’s too much expectation of what Serena “should have done” and descriptions of her behaviour as “ungracious in defeat”. I think more attention should be paid to what her actual gripe was on the court - she felt her integrity was questioned on the biggest stage. And she reacted to that. Her words were “I would rather lose”. I think if people put themselves in her shoes in that moment then perhaps they would be more understanding of her reaction.
And she was anything but ungracious in defeat. She offered the most gracious congratulations to Osaka and supported her at the presentation. That’s not what an ungracious loser does.
And then there’s talk of Osaka’s lost moment... that’s ridiculous to me because the records won’t record her win as a half or flawed win. She’s a grand slam champion. Her “moment” is every time she’s introduced as one.
7
IMHO, Serena's 'wronged-defiance' quickly descended into meltdown-mode. It very well could have been a manifestation of "I would rather lose"; as she assuredly knew better. She was much more adamant at making a point with Ramos, than on-court with Osaka. Shame.
Also, it was sad to see ESPN (Chrissy, Pam, et al) completely ignore the residual-effects of said meltdown on Ms. Osaka, at least until much, much later.
Serena has long utilized her 'intimidation-factor' on both officials and opponents - to great success, as the latter will too often capitulate, and cease to give their best-effort.
I find that how an athlete deals with adversity, rather than success, is much more indicative of true character.
8
I agree with this writer. Poor Osaka, she won fair and square, and Serena's unsportsman/woman like behavior stole the glory due to Naomi. I hope Osaka can find and embrace much joy from her well deserved win. I look forward to seeing more amazing tennis from Naomi in future tournaments.
34
The umpire was following the rules 100%. There is no cause for him to be mentioned in this article or for him to take any blame. Indeed - my hearty congratulations to both the umpire and Ms Osaka. Serena Williams needs to sincerely and publicly apologise to both.
43
Osaka’s game was great.
Ramos should be fined and fired.
3
Really? Fired?
No, that's going overboard.
9
@Wordy Fired for doing his job? Serena's coach did admit to the violation after all.
19
Agree with this article completely. Osaka was winning, and won. William’s behavior was a pathetic display by a toxic individual who was willing to do anything to obfuscate the fact that she was losing. This includes her behavior at the awards ceremony which was fake and calculated. Perhaps Osaka was crying to see her childhood idol for what she really is.
58
You must have never played competitive sports. Witnessed a lot worse during World Cup
1
@Mitchell
In the World Cup, players get red cards and get tossed out of the game for a fraction of the gross behavior that Serena displayed.
1
I think one of the saddest moments was a tearful Osaka apologizing to the crowd for having won the tournament! That was truly messed up (I wanted to use stronger term but this is the NY Times comments section after all). Never have I witnessed something like this in any sport.
Mr. Clarey is exactly right - the only one who had something stolen from her was Osaka.
60
@Santa you don’t watch enough tennis. It’s not uncommon for an opponent who beats an American player at the US Open to apologize for beating the American.
1
Serena acted like a spoiled child having a hissy fit, behavior unbecoming and inappropriate for a 20 veteran, 23-slam champion and ambassador of the sport.
Naomi had all the integrity, and won a well-deserved victory.
57
Osaka played great, and Ramos messed up. Both things can be true.
Good for Serena for calling out sexism in Tennis.
5
What rubbish. The umpire was completely professional. There is no sexism in tennis. What is the world coming to.
11
@Anna
Ramos certainly did not mess up. He applied the rules, and gave the spoiled brat, Williams, 3 chances. Rules make a game and should be used. Otherwise, don't have the rules in the first place. If you don't like that, tough cookies.
3
You're right, Serena. It's sexism.
You should of course be permitted to display unsportsmanlike conduct every bit as egregious and despicable as that of your most contemptible male counterparts.
Berate judges. Whine about unfairness. Break racquets. Steal glory from a true class act who bested you at every turn.
Way to aim low, girl!
Osaka wasn't the kid in that match. You were.
73
“Every bit as egregious”? I don’t think so.
Watch some YouTube and see what the men have done. It’s much worse than what she did.
2
Well, on the up side, there is Serena, and then the rest of the pack. Clearly, armed with Sascha's intimate knowledge of Serena's game from previously working for her, and with a seemingly magical physical power she was able to conjure up as needed, Osaka was tested and came out with flying colours. Osaka has the potential to play on a Serena level, which should be a great relief for women's tennis. As mentioned in this article, all of which I heartily agree with, Serena has imploded before. Between the last implosion in 2011 and the current implosion she has been generous and impeccable in her matches, win or lose. Her behaviour on Saturday makes me think that she doesn't have people around her to provide a reality check when she goes off the mark. This is a very wealthy woman with a lot of power, and that is how she was talking at the Umpire. And she just wouldn't let up. It was her tone & not letting it be that led to her being penalized a game. I would think the number one lesson she would want to teach her daughter is consideration for others. This is the 3rd time she has taken away the joy of simple victory from the US Open winners. Clijsters, herself coming back from having her daughter, Stosur, Osaka. That level of lack of awareness and manipulation is plain shoddy & wrong. We all make dumb mistakes. She's made the same one 3 times. Serena, you might want to take some parenting classes. Superiority of Osaka suggests retirement in the wings for Serena.
38
Her tone. Men never hear that someone doesn’t like their “tone”.
5
First of all let me say, I’m not a sports enthusiast. However I watched footage of what happened yesterday in the tennis finals.
I have no idea if women are treated equally to men in the sport. Miss Byam’s claims they aren’t and I believe her.
What I watched was a good sportsmanship. It didn’t portray her to be the fine woman that I’m sure she is which is unfortunate. She lost the match. Sometimes things we value and worth four just don’t work out in spite of our best effort that does not. That does not make it someone else’s phone. It wasn’t her finest hour.
3
Naomi Osaka has proven herself to be an exciting new champion at the US Open playing with great skill and excellence. She will continue to experience the respect from many that she has earned by her grace under pressure, humility, and poise at the young age of 20. Serena Williams will always be a great champion too. Everyone should learn from this unfortunate experience including the fans.
7
OK, I posted on the wrong article, but after reading all the others that didn't allow posting I thought commenting on Salamishah Tillet's op-ed was my only chance.
I'll just say here that yes, Naomi deserved to win, & Serena deserved to lose. But the umpire shouldn't have allowed the situation to escalate to the point that he penalized Serena an entire game--not in the women's championship match. Umpires shouldn't be so large a factor in the outcome of a match.
Re the coaching issue, if the WTA or tournaments don't want there to be coaching on court, then they shouldn't allow coaches to sit so near the court. Put them in a skybox or in the locker room. Players can get moral support from family and friends in their box.
I want to see Serena win her 25th grand slam and then ride off into a glorious sunset of her marriage and motherhood as the greatest tennis player of all time. She's come close in the last couple of years, so I'm sure she's frustrated. (But she does have a history of losing her temper; despite her name, she is not that serene.)
So she has to learn to take the high road, even though there is most certainly a double standard in men's and women's tennis. I've seen male players get away with coaching (Rafa), berating the umpire (Johnny Mac the all-time champ), and smashing racquets without being penalized to the extent Serena was.
But all hail to Naomi Osaka! She played outstanding tennis with great poise; I look forward to watching her play for many years.
8
@JediProf The rules against berating the umpire were made precisely _because of_ McEnroe's bad behavior and that of other (especially male) players.
12
YES!
Osaka’s play and her win were monumental and she deserved the title. Let’s all hope to see more of her and more of her utterly impressive tennis.
But even this article mentions the loser’s spectacle and comments are much more about her than Osaka. For Osaka’s sake, SR needs to gracefully back away from all the gratuitous attention.
14
We just can’t let Serena, the media and ridiculous celebrities continue to hijack the accomplishment of Naomi. That young woman played excellent tennis and deserved to win. Serena went to her well- known destructive default mode as she realized she was losing. If anyone was a “thief” in that match, it was Serena stealing the joy a young player should have been allowed to feel for winning her first Grand Slam. Haven’t heard an apology by Serena nor will we ever. Despicable.
64
I lost a lot of respect for William. She just was clearly not the better tennis player on the court. When it became clear that she was losing, she focused on how she was \entitled/ to win. There'only description I can think of for her behavior is "sore loser".
49
Thank you for highlighting Naomi Osaka’s inspiring breakthrough here and with Martina Navratilova’s piece - a refreshing contrast with too much coverage in your paper, starting with the match report, that bent over backwards to minimize the jaw-droppingly disgraceful behavior by Serena Williams. “I can smash my racket, abuse the umpire, because others, especially men, do so too.” That line of argument doesn’t work for miscreants in kindergartens so why connive to let a sporting icon get away with it? Go Naomi!
46
Thank you. I've been sorry to see that so many people seem to think a new star's breakthrough is all about her famous opponent.
Osaka won on the strength of her powerful, skillful play; the mental mastery that she has struggled to achieve; and that something which her coach Sascha Bajin calls "a gift, what Naomi has".
I look forward to watching Naomi Osaka play, win when that's on the cards, and share her gift with the tennis world.
47
The 2018 US Open Women's final showed, in stark relief, the grace, strength and power of humility and the devastating and destructive force of anger which starts with a small flicker and if unchecked, can spread into an engulfing and indiscriminate wildfire.
32
No tennis player with experience doesn’t know the wrong put upon Serena Williams (arguably one of the greatest athletes of our time ) when Ramos didn’t calm the moment and instead put his ego above the match. And also her deft navigation of the sexist call (only the third call was arguable) when placed against her.
Even Billie Jean King - for whom the tennis center is named after- came to her defense -
Let’s get real.
7
Williams had some ugly incidents before this particular us open.
Osaka's composure during Williams' meltdown(s) was a testament to her character and the way she was raised.
I spent a number of years living in japan.
GAMAN and GANBARO were words that came to mind.
I would dispute the us open being the biggest stage in tennis; Wimbledon would be my choice.
and clay court fans--and there are more than a few in Europe--would say the French open.
21
@brupic Well, my take is US Open is the biggest venue. Wimbledon is the ultimate tournament. And as a Rafa fan the French Open is the one I look forward to most, and breath a great sigh of relief when he wins it (almost always.) Australian is where I hope everyone has recovered from last season and is healthy enough to participate. And when Australian is over hope every one is healthy enough to look forward to a productive season. (I said I was a Rafa fan!)
People claiming sexist discrimination seem to missing the point that Serena Williams was not playing against a man. frankly, it is at least possible that the first two thirds of Williams’ outburst was a deliberate attempt to intimidate both the ref and Miss Osaka.
It was ugly and it was not the first time.
62
Years ago my kids were at a tennis event, a practice round. Most of the women pros were very nice, talking with them, giving out autographs, just being nice people. Not Williams, it was “out of the way kids, no autographs.” Martina, wonderful, Hunchtochova, a sweetheart, Williams, a not nice person. My son played college tennis. He played a guy who lost to him because the referee gave my son a game. What did the other kid do? He slammed his racket and berated the referee. We were embarrassed for the brat. Senena is a great player, but, she embarrassed herself, and, she forgot how well she was treated when she was a young pro. She did not treat the rising star as a mature pro should.
48
Hurray for Osaka. She had the focus and intensity to beat Serena. I think that was part of her blow up. I think she would have lost anyway.
40
I 've seen clip after clip of (white) male tennis players saying and doing MUCH worse during matches, and nothing was said or done to them. One might argue that the rules permit what Ramos did, but the rules also apparently permit Ramos NOT to do what he did. All the brouhaha about "class" and "dignity" fail to answer the basic question: was a different standard applied to Serena than is applied to all, or than is generally applied? If the answer is "no," then Serena hasn't a leg to stand on regarding her behavior. If the answer is "yes", then she's right, and the outcome is tainted, irreparably. That doesn't mean Serena would've won, only that she was not treated fairly if different standards were used in her case. Most writers seem willing to concede Serena's point, but hold her aggressive defense against her. Too bad. The men are treated more leniently, and the ONLY way to change that is to make some noise. Good, quiet girls don't change the world. They're also generally not highly regarded during their lifetimes. I bet there is some intense umpire retraining going on right now, and it's ONLY because Serena got vocal. Serena might well be overbearing, entitled, egocentric, and a host of other unpleasant qualities. But was she correct? In the end, that matters more.
10
Do you honestly think Serena would have reacted the same way if she'd been winning the match? If not, then your argument is beside the point.
33
@jr again, was she right? Human nature will overlook a host of slights when we feel it doesn't cost us. In a perfect world, she should've complained in either event, but it's not a perfect world, and I, for one, don't expect perfect behavior from anyone. No, it's not beside the point. Even Navratilova concedes Serena's correctness about the uneven application. Serena was rude, overbearing, entitled, losing, and correct about what was happening to her. She might well have complained about something else had the umpire not behaved as he did, but he did, and she complained. I'm not really invested in anything here but whether Serena was treated like everyone else. I don't follow her, I don't even really care about tennis. I do care about unequal treatment.
Fred - You avoided my question, and that really is the crux of the matter, not whether she was "right" or "wrong". Because even is she was "right" (which is questionable), the way she reacted, and her refusal to back down, was a shameful display of narcissism and bad sportsmanship that ultimately spoiled the match. And it's highly doubtful that she would have reacted the same way if she'd been winning. Not to mention that her claim that she wasn't paying attention to her coach, who freely admitted afterward that he was coaching her, was disingenuous. Immediately after he signaled her to come to the net, which she hadn't been doing previously, she started doing it. Coincidence?
Your insistence on trying to make excuses for her shows that you've been sucked into her victimization narrative. What about her responsibility, or lack thereof?
You won, Naomi. No call - fair or unfair (and for the record, I think fair) would have taken that game from you! I think Serena is beautifully human, like all of us, and was afraid of your talent, power, and poise. You are the true, gracious and powerful future of tennis. I'm so very sorry you were made to apologize for it. And I am as sorry that Serena stole your moment. Can't wait to see what you do next!
38
The disrespect on display during the post game ceremony with the appalling booing of the crowd and the USTA president prefacing her congratulations to Serena with “while this was not the result we were looking for...” as Naomi had tears streaming down her face was simply heartbreaking. She was indisputably the stronger player of the match and deserved better. It’s no wonder she felt the need to apologise to the crowd. Kudos to Naomi for being a class act and I’m glad Serena too, took the opportunity during the ceremony to put the focus back on Naomi’s achievement in her moment of glory.
Naomi’s win has meant a lot not just to tennis fans in Japan. It’s been morale boosting for a country that’s experienced devastating natural disasters all summer including most recently in her mother’s home prefecture of Hokkaido and her birthplace, Osaka.
For me, as a fellow half Japanese woman, seeing her thrive and being embraced by japan is touching and I hope it will give people here an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Japanese of a diverse background.
Next week when Naomi arrives in Tokyo to play in her next tournament she’ll be given a hero’s welcome and the biggest cheers of the crowd. I’m looking forward to seeing more from this rising star.
77
@Anna Okamoto
Anna, I agree 100% with your comment. USTA's presidents opening remarks was just a nail in the coffin.
2
Let us give this one a break Naomi did not lose her moment and realize she is having the biggest moment in her young life. She beat her childhood idol she goes home with the cup and she is only 20 years old. If you add the almost four million dollars she made what moment has she lost? Sure it makes good copy to say the Best Female tennis player we have ever seen stole the young ladies light when she lost her cool, Name one young player who would not want to be in Osaka's place? She lost nothing and won everything so give it a rest and let her enjoy her moment.
7
@Steven McCain Well, the booing during the presentation may have marred the moment, don't you think?
7
Carlos Ramos was quite fair to Osaka: didn't let her get rattled by Williams indirectly.
10
Ramos was very wrong here. He became a deciding factor in this match. Osaka played well, and she is a treasure to be sure, but would she have won that match had Ramos behaved in a sane and rational manner. We will never know and that is the shame of all of this.
4
Osaka was well in control of the match before the coaching call.
32
No. This is all on Serena. The first warning about the coaching was legitimate, and it could have ended right there, but Serena chose to escalate it, and then refused to let it go.
Osaka "played well"? She was dominating Serena, and that's why Serena melted down. Even if you think Ramos went overboard with the game penalty, the fact is that in the following game, Osaka basically gave it back by not really trying . (Either that or, despite her later statement that she wasn't really aware of what had been going on, she was totally distracted and unnerved by Serena's histrionics.) If you weren't paying close attention, or you don't remember, you can re-watch it on usopen.org. (Click on "Watch Live", and then on the "Replay" tab, and then on the "Saturday" tab. The game starts at 1:20.) In any event, in the final game, Osaka regrouped, and closed the match with authority. While it's of course possible that the outcome might have been different if not for Ramos's rulings, it's highly doubtful. Either way, it was Serena, not Ramos, who failed to "behave in a sane and rational manner", and that's the true shame.
14
Finally, an article on the match that I agree with 100%. Osaka had a brilliant breakthrough, all the more impressive because of the calm and control she displayed for a young woman in a difficult situation. I saw her beat Kerber last year at the Open and it was clear that this was a woman with a great future. Serena's boorishness did indeed rob Osaka of a great moment. I hope that, on reflection, Serena can see this. It was PAINFUL to watch. Yes, Serena thought she'd been wronged, but, in fact, her coach admitted that he was coaching, she certainly did a thorough job of destroying the racquet, and it was foolish to argue when she was facing a game penalty. Yes, perhaps there was gender bias, but the harm done to Osaka by Serena's actions was far greater than the harm done to Serena by the umpire (my opinion). Osaka was clearly winning the match and Serena stole the joy of her victory. Serena owes Osaka a much bigger apology than the arm she put around her shoulder. I have long been a fan of Serena, and this doesn't change the fact that she's one of the greatest players of all time, but this was not her most graceful day.
36
Two things occurred to me during Serena's tantrum. First, I thought her insinuation of sexism was phony and hypocritical. I felt like, by that point, she had realized that her outburst had crossed a line and that she was flailing for a way to redefine it as something noble. When she remarked to the referee "I know you believe what I'm saying, you just can't say it," I think she was trying to conjure some quiet affirmation of her line.
Second, as she was sobbing to the two officials who seemed like they were trying heroically to soothe her, she repeatedly cried "You're taking this AWAY from me, you're taking this AWAY from me!" This was startling. Who was taking what away from her? Not since junior high have I encountered this idea that something belongs to you by right, by order of the universe, and bad humans are conspiring to steal it.
And I don't think she redeemed herself at the award ceremony. Yes, it could have been worse. But I think that her speech, referencing her history of grievances, really just put herself back in the center. She never said "Osaka was the better player today. Osaka is your true champion."
I have always liked Serena, but never too much. I see two people: one when she is winning, one when she is losing. Do all of her tantrums come when she is losing? And she has learned nothing from her threat to smash a ball down a lineswoman's throat at match point? As for the crowd, now we know what a Trump rally must feel like.
86
Exactly right - I suppose at least the crowd didn’t turn on Osaka with chants of “lock her up”, but she probably wouldn’t have noticed over her own sobs as what should have been a highlight for her was ruined. The ugliness of Williams’ petulant and entitled behaviour, and the ugliness of the boorish crowd, were awful to witness.
53
@Joyboy Excellent! I, too, noticed the "Why are you taking this away from me?" plea--Were we in some kind of reverse time tunnel, I asked myself, and she'd already won?
Then there was the heart-wrenching moment in the trophy presentation when a tearful Osaka actually bowed to Williams, in deference to the sport and her idol. Instead of responding, say, "The honor's all mine," Serena drew herself up with a noblesse oblige smirk that conveyed: "Well, yes, it IS a gift to play me--and would you mind curtseying, too?"
15
@Heather King, Ah, the bow. I would like to think it was done with a measure of quiet mockery, but it wasn't. Which adds an extra layer of both sadness and dignity. Through three days of pregame chatter, as Osaka talked about her excitement to meet her idol, I repeated to myself over and over "Never meet your heroes."
Serena is the only player in women's tennis with the star power to force the changes that are so badly needed. This battle is bound to take a tole beyond the effort she is to set a new mark in career grand slam wins.
It's really unfortunate that this struggle became an issue that detracted from Naomi Osaka's very mature and powerful performance. Hopefully both players will go on to achieve their goals.
3
So Serena is not a cheat. Maybe she should have told her coach.
16
excellent analysis of this sad event! Thank you!
12
Naomi Osaka is the female Rafa in sportsmanship, demeanor, and game! Love this humble, gracious young woman!
27
For me, Osaka's victory was only further enhanced by winning in those very unfair circumstances. Williams is a great winner, but a very destructive loser. I hope she either gets her act together quickly, or retires soon to leave her legacy intact and untarnished.
32
I wonder if Serena believes she owes Naomi Osaka an apology? I hope so. While the umpire was awful, there are a number of ways to react to racism/sexism. Serena was very undignified, taking it to a level that was selfish and exhibiting behavior unbecoming a "queen". We're all human, but we should admit, apologize and move on.
14
And lastly, Katrina Adams, USTA Chair, throws umpire under the bus on ESPN.
27
I didn't think Naomi could beat Serena b/c I generally don't think anyone can, though it happens. She is the greatest female tennis player of all time, one of the greatest female athletes period.
But, Osaka was beating her. Serena robbed her of the joy of victory by her sense of entitlement - even if she was right that the umpire was too tough and even if the rules need tweaking.
She obviously has spoken to her trainer by now and she should be apologizing to the umpire and the fans. Even if it is a stupid rule, he was coaching. Naomi Osaka has nothing to apologize for, but did (I'm not clear to who).
I'd like to ask Serena if she will teach her child that when she is wrong, she should apologize? Is it okay to break your racket like that in a fit of temper? Is it okay to stop a match with a temper tantrum b/c your feelings are hurt? Is it okay to roll out the identity card when you make a mistake (that I think I know the answer to)?
Would it have been fair to Naomi, if, b/c of Serena's tirade and her status, they reversed the decision? I only wish it happened b/c Serena would likely have lost anyway. What if b/c of her tirade, Osaka became rattled and lost? Would that be fair? Frankly, I couldn't stand what McEnroe and Nastase used to do. I rooted against them. No one should emulate them or use them as an excuse. I'm for more penalties.
No, I do not think Serena is now a monster. She became gracious after the fact. Too late though. She screwed up and should admit it.
28
Although elite athletes are mostly remembered by their statistical achievements, it's the ones who demonstrate the greatest sportsmanship that win me over.
When Wayne Gretzky was on the verge of surpassing Gordie Howe as the NHL's all-time points leader, the then-aging Howe regularly attended all of Gretzky's critical games, including the one where Gretzky finally surpassed him.
When the historical moment finally arrived, Mr. Howe warmly congratulated Gretzky which made it an even more special moment for Gretzky and all of hockey.
Amateur or professional, this is what every athlete needs to be mindful of.
31
Thank you very much for focusing on the remarkable achievement of Naomi Osaka's play and composure. The quality of her play and deportment has been almost totally obscured by the 'controversy' surrounding Serena Williams' loss. Serena is a champion for the ages, but let's give credit where credit is do. Naomi Osaka won that match decisively and Serena Williams lost it. The referee did not give it away.
36
I just watched again the part of this match where Serena Williams loses her temper for the third time, the chair umpire rightly ruling that she lose a game for her ill mannered and belligerent displays.
Then, as another reader noted today, Ms. Osaka seeing the score adjustment on the score board, for the following game did not even try to score a point against Ms. Williams, giving Serena that game.
Strange and inspiring that this transpired in the way that it did, the true champion of the day is a 20 year young woman, who managed to continue to play with dignity and grace despite the unneeded and unprofessional conduct of Ms. Williams.
Naomi, you are my new hero of the tennis world, long may you play.
91
When this article says the terrific Osaka handled "everything that Williams and the chaotic circumstances could hurl at her," I think we must include the first NYT article on this subject, which refused to take anything near the tone of this article and call Ms. Williams on her actions until readers reacted.
40
When you've dominated a sport for as long as Serena Williams has, it's not easy when the torch is being passed on to the next generation. I would have hoped for a more dignified game from Williams as she was thoroughly outplayed.
31
@mlb4ever
This is the sad truth. As fiercely competitive and as great a champion as Serena Williams is, at some point she will retire, and the sport will continue, with a new generation of athletes.
Osaka played an excellent match and deserved to have her moment, which a boorish crowd and an angry opponent spoiled.
10
“Ultimately, you never know what you’re made out of until you’re tested,” Bajin said. Yes, and Serena was tested.
12
@A Thinker, Not a Chanter.
and failed.
6
Williams has a history of overreacting because she excels at a sport dominated by racists. This is the woman who was called racial slurs by the tennis crowd as a child. It's no surprise that she's angry and defensive. White people's continued feigned ignorance just makes me sad.
7
No one was being racist in this match that I could see. Serena got beaten, and she has shown repeatedly through the years that she is a sore loser.
16
Serena was fighting with Ramos for her integrity. She wanted Ramos to acknowledge that she doesn't cheat. By penalizing Serena for her coach's mistake, Ramos was implying that Serena was benefiting from the infraction. This was Serena's complaint from the beginning to the end. Ramos never acknowledged Serena's demand that he state she does not cheat. If he had the incident would have ended there. Since he did not he injected himself into the match, which a umpire has no business doing.
4
@sooberg1115
I don't think you get it! The rule is that you should not coach during the game. Coaching during the game is a violation whether the player sees or acts upon the instructions or not. Given this rule, what is your rational for saying the umpire "injected himself into the match for not apologizing to Ms. Williams?
34
@sooberg1115
An umpire in making a penalty call for coaching, does not look to see if the coaching is received by the player; that is not the test. If coaching is detected, the penalty ensues. Ramos was not claiming Serena was cheating; he detected coaching by her coach and called it accordingly. No apology was warranted.
30
@sooberg1115 Just you know players are responsible for their coaches actions. This had nothing to do Serena's integrity.
Look at the rules of tennis.
This event had nothing to do with Serena's integrity. Players are responsible of their coaches actions. Period. Ramos was right.
14
Ironically, Serena Williams initiated an incident of minority shaming. Her opponent was an Haitian-Japanese heritage tennis player. Would Serena have dared to explode the finals against an A list player?
18
@Richard Mclaughlin Naomi Osaka is an A list player in the making. Lets give her credit for this win.
8
Like many competitors, Williams thinks the world revolves around her and that winning is everything. It doesn't and it isn't. She could and should have instructed her coach to leave the stands when she learned he was jeopardizing her match, but she didn't. Too bad, so sad.
36
I love and admire Serena for so many reasons, but this was not her finest hour. Despite being a fierce competitor, too often she lets her emotions get the better of her. The whataboutism Serena tried to invoke against Ramos is wearyingly familiar these days. Osaka was cleaning her clock. Serena took it out on the umpire. At the end of the day, it's hard to accept that Serena didn't take even a second to consider that her berserker might rattle Osaka and shift the momentum her way. But it didn't ultimately sending Serena into an epic meltdown. Sportsmanship matters. I think Big Tennis is to blame too. Nike, Visa, et al invested huge sums of money, wrapping Serena in the new-mom-come-back narrative that did not include a 20 year old writing a surprise ending. There's no money in that. Serena made the age-old mistake of buying her own press. I love you, Serena, but we must all play by the rules.
66
Thank you for writing in full praise of Naomi Oska's win. The social network is busy with Serena's outburst that had no place in the match. Serena was wise enough to correct that error in the award ceremony but Naomi was robbed of her moment of glory already. Hope as Serena said later - she learns from Naomi.
24
Naomi Osaka was playing so well before, during and after the incident, I tend to believe that SW deliberately misbehaved in order to steal the spotlight from Naomi's triumph since she knew she was losing and could not recover. Naomi should be getting all the ink right now.
44
Impossible to know but had Williams won the first set would she have brushed off the chair with a few glances? She was on her way to losing the match when she turned the match into a spectacle. On the flip side the chair exhibiting an iron will remains a factor.
Williams made her point for women in the sport and is due a salute. Naomi won the match and suffered consequences for errors she did not commit. That is a shame.
12
I don't know why people would celebrate and defend that kind of angry bullying from Serena. Excellent article.
58
It’s a competition and the best one. Period.
8
Naomi Osaka lost her moment of triumph despite incredible skill and poise. Mayhem ruled thanks to Serena Williams and a crowd which was going to back her no matter how she played or how she behaved. As I watched this unfold I found Williams's conduct incredibly upsetting, in part because she is so talented. However, I quickly caught myself. Williams is rightly considered amazing because she's arguably the greatest tennis player ever, not because, for instance, she's the greatest humanitarian ever. It isn't hard to see where I'm going with this. What happened at Arthur Ashe Stadium was just more of everything we have to endure daily at this point. Try to watch the US Open to get a break from all the insanity which now pervades our society, and you're subjected to more of it. We live in a society in which there's a profoundly unhealthy worship of celebrities. While certainly not the case for Williams, who is a prodigious talent, many celebrities are purely manufactured, carefully crafted to make them appear to have talent, when they have none. Still, the problem remains that many celebrities, with or without Serena's talent and achievements, believe they're infallible, assail anyone and everyone based on any perceived slight, and have rabid fans who refuse to see their flaws and attack any who happen to be standing across the net from them. Achievement in sports or entertainment is separate from morality, and any mob which rewards bad behavior, is complicit in that behavior.
38
Great article! Very logical and well-written. I don't know why so many other commentators seemed to have gotten this incident so wrong.
47
One element that has not been mentioned is the possibility that Osaka actually unnerved Williams by calmly looking back at her at the start of each point, no matter the fierceness or dramatics. At times she reminded me of Steffi Graf, calmly signaling that she was ready to play tennis whenever the opponent was done performing. With an occasional piercing look.
I also noticed her honorable yielding of one game after Williams was docked hers, dissolving what was left of Williams' competitive and allowing the winning of the match with an ace.
47
She won ONE big title. She is no Serena Williams. So yes, I will forget her and her match...unless she proves to be a champion. Serena Williams, in spite of her personal oddities, is a champion.
2
@Jay David Serena is a champion- yes, technically. In temperament, she is weak and a poor sport. It's not for nothing that the saying endures, "it's not whether you win or lose..." Osaka shows great potential to be a champion on both counts, but Serena will never get there.
16
She appears to be a bit classier than Serena Williams...
5
Serena has a lot to learn - she can look to Nadal and Federer for how champions behave including/especially in defeat.
30
I am going to make a prediction. The next time Naomi Osaka step into a tennis stadium she will receive a standing ovation from the tennis fans.
66
Let's talk about fairness, sexism, and tennis.
How is playing best 2 out of 3 sets the same as 3 best out of 5?
They are not the same amount of "work". So why is the prize money..3.8 MILLION DOLLARS!!!! ...the same?
" Equal pay for equal work". Wasn't that a mantra of the feminist movement? Where are all of those "equal rights females" when they are clearly getting special treatment over their male "co-workers"?
23
I think plenty of WTA players would be happy to play five set matches, and have come out on record saying as much. Unfortunately they have been met with "but scheduling issues" as a rebuff, because time needs to be made for the men's five set matches. In this instance, I think your grudge is with tournament organizers, not feminists. I suppose you won't though, because attacking bureaucrats, organizers and advertisers is far less appealing than attacking your perceived social opponents.
Perhaps you might rather take up with Djokovic in promoting 3 set matches in the grand slams, like it's done everywhere else? With the temperatures, injuries and viewing audience rising, it'll probably go that way eventually, anyway.
6
Serena is a fighter for all women. Once again a white ignorant man showed us that racist white men in charge are Everywhere. Ms Osaka hopefully will realize that she to will be haunted by racism all of her life.
It’s once again white men I’m charge however we All andsaw it and the tournament will never be viewed in the same light for the American people and the world. So pathetic but Ms. Williams and the women of the world will march on. We have no patience for small minds and racism. We march with our pocketbooks.
2
@Tony
This is a silly argument. It is not all about race, using the race card gets a bit tiring.
The umpire followed the letter of the law and if anything was wrong, change the rules.
the crowd was a disgrace, it is one thing to support your player but you should all be big enough to cheer a great champion - shame on you!
54
@Tony
I’d suggest reading more of the comments from people here; people of various colors, nationalities and genders.
I learned a lot.
12
@Tony
Serena had tantrums at women too. Both times when she was loosing.
This is the problem with "race" and "gender" cards - they sometimes deflect from the truth.
37
I didn't like it when white men had tantrums on the court--McEnroe, Connor, Agassi, etc.--so the fact that Serena is a black woman doesn't make it any better. I don't doubt that there is a double standard in tennis as there is everywhere else but acting out like this does a disservice to the cause she says she wants to embrace and for me it ruins the enjoyment of the game.
45
MacEnroe was docked points, incurred fines and at one point had a 21 day competitive suspension I believe. Your point?
7
It's a pity that Serena spoiled Naomi Osaka's first Grand Slam victory. Acting like a DIVA the entire time, including rolling her eyes heavenward while holding her runner up trophy in a slack stance, Serena yelled, broke a racket and then took her high horse behavior to ride for new Moms, daughters and her disappointment that she didn't play well. That's it. WHY does the press make more of it than that? There is no feminist crusade here. All there is, is a baleful lack of sportsmanship by a world champion who upstaged the young, victorious newcomer. I hope to see Naomi Osaka beat Serena Williams the next time!
82
I can't believe how quickly and willingly people are turning on Serena, one of the greatest athletes, male or female, we have seen in recent years. Ramos bears a hefty portion of the blame for instigating this unfortunate spectacle. Ramos robbed the occasion of its honor (for Serena) and its joy (for Naomi).
Naomi Osaka may well be our next great... but let's not forget whose shoulders she's standing on: the powerful shoulders of Serena and Venus Williams.
7
This has nothing to do with William’s greatness as a player or Osaka’s future greatness. This has to do with the utter obnoxiousness of Williams’ behavior.
45
Tennis is a sport. Sports have rules. Ramos called the game by the rules.
12
I don't know. This feels to me like mansplaining at the very least. I watched the match. Yes, Serena felt wronged, but that didn't seem to faze Naomi at all, and she played an excellent match from a point of strength. Serena took nothing from her or her victory, and Ramos the referee has a history of this kind of behavior. Naomi certainly had her breakthrough moment on Saturday. She WON the US Open. Maybe if the writer wasn't so busy trying to make Serena into a bully, this might have been even clearer.
5
It’s standard procedure for any professional of Serena’s elite stature and considerable experience to know her umpire well before taking to the court. Any 14 year old learns fast what to do when shouted at by a teacher, generally in life it’s not worth answering back.
32
Mansplaining. I’d explain to you how odious that term is, but I’m a man and don’t want to be accused of mansplaining.
14
"This kind of behavior"? Do you mean enforcing the rules? I watched this match. It had nothing to do with gender or race. Serena behaved unprofessionally, her coach admitted he broke the rules trying to coach her from his box. The violations were deserved. Serena was angry and frustrated that she could not outplay nor intimidate Osaka. The match was not stolen from Serena; it is sad that the celebratory moment was stolen from Osaka.
25
I haven't witnessed the match but when I read the accounts I said to myself - "This reeks of Serena showing some serious unfolding levels of denial that she's being beaten pretty straightforwardly and deflecting the blame".
As it got more obvious she deflected more and more blame at the ref to distract and try to miss the full force of the mental blow she was living. Much like a narcissist backed into a corner - Blow up and deflect a fact coming straight at you.
49
Osaka played beautifully, remained laser focused during the drama and beat Serena fair and square.
Thank you for recognizing her effort.
82
Naomi won! She will move on and win many more titles.
21
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if she becomes an icon as Serena
4
@Arturo Galvan
who cares? In this match, Osaka outplayed Williams and behaved like a professional.
9
She is already and unanimously one - an icon of grace, and humility.
4
The entire episode reminded me of a Trump rally. The crowd, inspired by an angry impresario, whipped into a booing angry mob. Shame on Ms Williams
116
Thus, Serena Williams joins Tom Brady and Tiger Woods in the ugly aging icon athlete hall of shame. These experienced players have suffered defeats at the hands of younger players whose careers are just beginning and they are unable to handle it. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady refused to shake hands with the winning Philadelphia Eagles back up quarterback Nick Foles. Serena Williams had a spectacular meltdown when she was defeated by Naomi Osaka in the finals of the Open. Yet Serena's unsportsmanlike conduct was ignored by the Tennis elites who reassured her that she was the real champion. No one remembers who won Golf's US Open because the media was swarming over second place finisher Tiger Woods. Can anyone tell me won that tournament? The media is also to blame because they refuse to make way for the next generation of players to make their mark.
45
@sharon5101 Go Birds.
4
@sharon5101 In an article about how this should have been Osaka's moment but everything was made about Williams' behavior ... you posted a comment that exactly illustrated the problem, all you can talk about is Williams and athlete you associate with her, nothing about Osaka.
1
Great and honest reporting
24
Bravo, Christopher Clarey! This is the piece I have looked for, in vain till now, since Saturday.
A role model voluntarily holds herself the highest possible standard, whatever the "rules" may be. She doesn't flagrantly flout the roles, then protest that she should be entitled to get away with the same immaturity, boorishness and poor sportsmanship that men purportedly have. Forget the men: What other female tennis player has behaved even once at a Grand Slam with such grandstanding, sore-loser, bullying, narcissistic arrogance?
If Serena Williams wants to raise a daughter with character, she should show her a reel of the 2018 U.S. Open Women's Final and point to Naomi Osaka.
133
What a contrast. The 20-year-old Osaka showed all the grace and maturity of a Grand Slam champion whereas the 36-year-old Williams was a petulant child acting like a young John McEnroe. If any women's rights movements want to adopt Williams as their new hero, they're welcome to have her. As for me, I'll take the classy Osaka any day.
75
Your comment reminds me of the importance of learning to endure freedom of speech. There is no comparison between a 20 year old beginner and the greatest female tennis player in history. Serena did not attain her supremacy without a singleminded drive to succeed and you saw that in full bloom on Saturday. Additionally, all the female greats sided with William’s take on the referee. That satisfies my feelings of who was right and who was out of line.
6
@DENOTE MORDANT
Except Martina Navratilova who wrote an excellent opinion piece in today’s NYT. Her point is that the behavior Serena exhibited on Saturday is unacceptable in both men and women tennis players. That kind of behavior - in both men and women - disrespects the sport of tennis.
15
@DENOTE MORDANT
Total nonsense. Serena has a proven history of melting down and lashing out at others when she senses she's losing. She has absolutely no class and i would be thrilled if she never plays the US Open again.
3
I very much agree with this analysis, having watched Osaka's strong play and Williams' unraveling on Saturday (as well as Ramos's mismanagement). But I'm struck by the absence of mention of one significant part of the last set in any of the post-match discussion about this episode. After Williams was docked a game for her "thief" comment, the score became 5-3 Osaka, with Williams serving. Osaka made virtually no effort to win that game (which would have ended the match), quite clearly giving that game to Williams by deliberately hitting the ball alternately quite long on one point and quite low into the net on others. That made the score 5-4 Osaka, essentially giving back to Williams the game that was taken by Ramos. The TV announcers made no mention of this, the post-match commentators made no mention of this, and I have seen no mention of it in any analysis since. But it was plain as day at the time, as Osaka had otherwise shown no such repeated weakness in her strokes. She gave Williams the game, thereby giving her the chance to get back into the match. And after doing that, she returned to her previous form, and convincingly beat Williams in the match-winning game, just as she had been convincingly playing better tennis throughout the match. I think she deserves recognition for having leveled the playing field to the extent she could, something she had no obligation to do and I wonder if Williams or any other player would have done had the shoe been on the other foot.
156
@suellen
I saw the same thing. Naomi allowed Serena the docked game back. She is superior mentally and in finesse.
9
@suellen
I was too agitated at the diva to notice this, thanks very much I will watch the final games again (without sound)!
4
@suellen I noticed this moment and it drew a tear or two from both my eyes. It was, to me, her most magnificent moment in the entire match filled with so many. The shiniest among all her golden moments. If her game catches up to the kind of person she has shown, I can't think of another past champion to compare her to.
And, you are quite right, no commentator or sportswriter have mentioned it, perhaps in part because it would to be couched as speculative interpretation.
5
Just wait. When Naomi Osaka wins the Australian Open in January the local crowd will more than make up for this.
19
A "champion" who cries "victim" is not a "great player."
A great player is "great" when they play the game and win over and over again, but that's not all - they also behave in a respectful manner - respectful to their competitors, officials, and the fans of their sport.
Her comments to the booing crowd when Osaka was crying at the awards ceremony were self-serving.
Serena Williams lost any semblance of greatness on Saturday.
95
@Mimi Agreed. I've lost so much respect for her, and I used to be a big fan. She turned that match into an embarrassing spectacle and stole what should have been an epic moment for her opponent, who outplayed her fair and square that match.
39
Also contrast with the woman player who came out of the locker room mid-match with her shirt on backwards. She changed it on the court and was assessed a point by the woman chair umpire. She was puzzled but didn't do anything during the match.
After she pointed out that men do it all the time and that many were taking their breaks with their shirts off the entire time. Officials agreed and the rule has been changed.
No ballistics, no sobbing, no threats, no "this happens to me every time I play here."
How hard is that, Serena?
60
I found it completely unacceptable behavior for a woman who has so much experience on the big stage to steal the spotlight from a young competitor who was clearly playing the match of her life. Serena is a titan. She has lived in the limelight, on and off the court, for a very long time. She is human, but she certainly knows how to handle more stress and pressure than most of us could imagine. There is no other explanation for her extended meltdown than plain old simple diva-ship. She just couldn't relinquish the spotlight. I recoiled as I watched Serena repeatedly, and quite methodically, allow her emotions become the focus of the event. I have no doubt she was correct in her assessment of the situation, who would know better than her what calls and penalties are appropriate? But she should make a very public apology to the fierce and talented Naomi Osaka who outplayed her at every turn. Here is a young woman who has worked so hard to become the best, playing her near-unbeatable hero, only to find her spectacular victory diminished and overshadowed by the selfish dramatic spectacle of a diva tantrum. If Serena wants to teach her daughter the values of strength, dignity, empathy and sportsmanship, she will teach her how to apologize when you make a mistake. I love Serena and I don't expect her to not be human, but that was unacceptable.
89
At least Ōsaka won. Her option was to yell at Serena and fling her racket at her for ruining her glorious day.
22
It’s amazing how the Serena apologists overlook the fact that Naomi Osaka is also a woman of color. She didn’t make any claims of discrimination.
Maybe it has something to do with Serena was losing, behaved deplorably, then wrapped herself in the mantles of sexism and motherhood instead of taking responsibility for her wildly inappropriate behavior.
95
The only thief in this sad debacle is Serena Williams, who stole the thrill, glory and spotlight from Naomi Osaka.
76
I've been shocked at the outpouring of support for Serena Williams after this match. Were people watching the same match as I was? I saw Mouratoglou clearly signaling to Serena to move into the net. Serena was right this was not a coded signal- it was a very clear message that anyone would interpret as an instruction. He then nodded afterward in what looked like some sort of mutual acknowledgement that his message was received. Whether or not Serena saw it, I don't know, but her over the top protestations and invoking of sexism as an excuse do not sit well with me. Yes, there is sexism that needs to be addressed in women's tennis as in most other fields, but this seemed like a disingenuous attempt to use that shield against what was primarily her own poor behavior. She lost it, blamed Ramos, called him a liar and a thief (try that without getting a technical in basketball, or getting thrown out of the game by the home plate umpire in baseball) and now wants to wrap herself in the flag of the women's movement? Spare me. It does a disservice to everyone really looking to level the playing field for women. Kudos to Martina Navratilova for her column today.
93
@Michele
Excellent points.
4
I felt so bad for this young woman. She not only played fantastic, but handled herself brilliantly. Martina Navratilova's op-ed toady really hits it right on the head. I like Serena Williams and she probably is the best ever, but she let her ego ruin this day. She was getting thoroughly beaten and couldn't handle it. She had a slight point about the judge who could have done some of this differently. But she went way too far. And the audience really was a disgrace. Serena was very gracious trying to consul Ms Osaka, but she had caused the all the commotion in the first place. The winner shouldn't have to apologize for winning, I guess that's Japanese nature. It just became all about Serena when it should ave been all about Ms Osaka, and that's a great shame. It looks to me like she is headed for a big future with many titles. .. Well the upside is everyone will be watching next time these to have a match. And it should be very exciting.
37
Can’t be the best ever. A real champ is gracious and always polite.
17
@John agree completely. She is not the best ever. And — in my view — an example of wjat not to do in a tennis match, especially a US Open final. A wounded narcisist, that’s what she is....
3
Given the video evidence of the provision of and receipt of coaching, and given Ramos’ proven and widely known strict enforcement of Tennis rules, Serena must apologize to both of them. At the end of the day, she stole the moment from Osaka, and was the thief.
58
By blaming the umpire for her outrageous behavior, Serena Williams once again displayed her lack of sportsmanship. She has violated the rules many times in previous matches. To say Ramos's ruling was sexist affront to women is absurd. McEnroe and several other men have been similarly penalized so her argument is patently false.
What's so sad is her taking the glory away from Osaka who trounced her. Osaka deserved better. Williams deserves no compliment for telling the crowd to stop booing.
57
When so many comments are already online, you hesitate to add your own opinion but I can remember talking to Zina Garrison, Pam Shriver, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi (andre in the warm pool) and thinking, these are nice people. I do not feel Serena Williams handled herself as a multi millionaire champion but I do respect Naomi Osaka. 36 year old petulant Serena has lots of growing up to do. We don't need another diva or McEnroe.
25
You can love Serena Williams, and marvel at her accomplishments, and admire her strength and perseverance (as I do) and still come to the conclusion that she should have handled things better on Saturday evening. And you can do all that and still agree that Ramos handled the match and the cascading developments very poorly.
But what you must do is admire Osaka - her ability at such a young age to push aside the pressure and the drama and play the best tennis of her life against her idol. It was a supreme accomplishment, and she deserved a lot better than she got from everyone in the building.
The U.S. Open crowd - which almost always stands out for its passion, intelligence and class - was horrible; disgraceful even. Serena has had some wonderful moments in Arthur Ashe stadium, but perhaps none better than when she admonished the crowd to stop booing and start celebrating the young Champion's achievements. Pure class, and it couldn't have been easy.
18
The crowd had no idea what was really going on...so like usual they did what they could - jeer. That's crowd mentality for ya. They sided with their favorite, not knowing exactly why or for what.
I'm a middle aged male, long-time, huge fan of Serena (and Venus) having watched her play since the late 90's, and Serena's first US Open win. She's been an inspiration to me and my family ever since.
That said, she made a few minor mistakes. 1. She should have let the coaching warning go. Yes, she never needs, or asks for coaching. But she knows its happens. 2. Dont ask for an apology you will never get. No way Ramos was gonna cave in. You take it off court after the match. File complaints, demand an inquiry. 3. She pulled the Mom-card. There is no inherent virtue in motherhood, and it certainly doesn't exclude you from breaking, or bending the rules. Look around, plenty of cheating, rules breaking moms - and dads.
Ramos improperly inserted himself into the set and as such determined the outcome of the match. For that he should be suspended for several months. This is Championship play, and at 4-3 in the second set, you don't hand a game to the leader, that tilts things in her favor. At 4-3 (Osaka 4) Serena very easily could have pulled a win on the set. She's done it 100's of times. She was cheated of the chance to come back. Ramos was not forced to penalize a game.
The rules absolutely must be loosened on all players expressing their emotions, esp. in the Final.
6
@Boregard Her coach admitted to coaching. Who's lying?
17
This is an absurd notion. If Serena could have won the match, she would have spent her time on the court doing just that, not arguing with the umpire. After all, it would have been a much better example to all if she’d simply taken the point, gone back to playing, and used her huge platform to make a statement afterward clarifying her positions on cheating and sexist officiating. What she did instead was steal the spotlight from her young and talented opponent, continue to act as a petulant child after being penalized, ruin the game for everyone, and make a mockery of the women’s movement in the process.
The idea that rules should be lax in championship play is backwards. Rules are rules. The important thing is consistent application. It is the lax application of rules that makes their rightful enforcement seem unjust, but that doesn’t make it so. She should be angry at her coach, if anyone, for blatantly flouting the rules. Believing you can or should get away with something doesn’t absolve you if you don’t.
13
@MCH
Neither. Serena has long been known to not take coaching during matches. A brief hand signal is not always received, or noticed. Not in the heat of play. Esp. When the player is out of the line of sight, as was the case. She doesnt take coaching when its allowed in non grand slams.
Plus, it was clear Osakas coach/box was also coaching. But maybe they were out of the umps line of sight?
Its also about the call making, and the Ump tilting the game. At 4-3 its unheard of in a Final to give the receiving player, serving for the 6th game, a game lead to make it 5-3. In the second set! Unheard of!
Its the umps job to de-escalate, and let the players play.
You recall that ump, in week 1, who got out of the chair and coached that male player? Who went on to win, when he was losing! Wheres the outrage over that obvious improper behavior?
The rule is so vague its absurd. As anything done in the box can be construed as coaching. Even clapping a certain way. Or a fist pump...and they have been.
Serena could have handled it better, being the older player, but she was tweaked by that first set. Players will be emotional. But women players have to always be the most extreme of proper behavior all the time.
Did you watch the mens? Never saw the team boxes so mute in their behaviors. They were practically sitting on their hands.
Both were wrong...but the ump was most wrong. You dong insert yourself and tilt a match. Period.
You've never walked in Ms Williams' shoes and because of this, your opinion will remain just that.
9
Right on the mark.
7
One of the worst victimhood apologias for Serena Williams is Louisa Thomas's weepy PC piece in The New Yorker today: https://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/naomi-osakas-us-open-victo...
By Thomas's telling, BOTH Williams and Naomi Osaka are victims of the white racist patriarchy. Gather 'round all the communal head-nodding political sisterhood and empathic strains of kumbaya, and blame the males involved. Bad daddies! And in the process relieve Williams - and women in general - of any sense of adult self-responsibility and social comportment.
Serena Williams was a bad example for tennis yesterday. If anyone is a thief, she is: she stole a sports competitor's opportunity to shine in well-deserved applause - that of a first-time Grand Slam champion, too - simply because she has a chronic toddler's reaction to losing and was losing badly in the match. Shame on her. And on Thomas, for enabling and reinforcing bad behavior and trying to fix the blame elsewhere. As for Billie Jean King's knee-jerk PC reaction, just get the name in the publicity, right? And the crowd and Katrina Adams? Don't get me started...
43
Just think this the other way round. Osaka complaining, racket smashing, abusing. Nobody in NY would have accepted that. Booeing without end. That's what I do call double standards.
We can have the discussion about coaching, feminism and everything else, but please, not on the court! This was highly unfair, and furthermore it's an ugly, but well known pattern by Serena under pressure.
And (BTW) great, great tennis by Osaka. So clutch. No1 stuff!
47
I was born in NYC, worked and studied there, and married a woman I met there. No more US Open for me. The display by the fans in the Women's Finals was typically boorish. Ditto applauding bad shots by Djokovic, and intentionally distracting him mid-serve with cat-calls. Plus all the unmuted cell phones ringing.
I suggest the Wimbledon and Roland Garros schools of sportsmanship and manners, where none of this behavior occurs.
36
Naomi,
You were the better player on Saturday and deserved the win. Unfortunately Serena knew she was losing and couldn't handle her emotions and created a phony ruckus. She was wrong and no amount of appeals to sexism will change that. Keep up the good work and stay our nation's top player. Find a new idol.
27
It's quite simple. Naomi Osaka showed more class, sportsmanship and composure in that match that Serena has her entire career.
She certainly set an example for her child. Have her watch Osaka, not Mom, if she wants to learn how to behave.
So sorry, NYC, but your behavior matched Serena's. Both combined to ruin what should have been a defining moment in a young woman's career over another of Serena's predictably familiar tantrums that only happen when she's losing. It was only a question of when, not if.
Disgraceful.
35
If Serena really wants to stand up for women's rights in tennis, she might want to look to Osaka's graciousness and maturity in the face of adversity as an example for which to strive.
49
I'm glad that this article calls out how reckless and irresponsible Serena's coach was. The contrast in coaches is quite clear - Serena was hung out to dry by Mouratoglou, while Osaka was prepared for victory by Bajin.
The penalty for Mouratoglou flouting the rules should have been his expulsion from the stadium for this match and the next US Open. There was no sign that Serena saw his hands - because they were half-hidden by the person in front of him (her sister clearly saw them). The umpire also should have been clear that points weren't going to be restored - when he told Serena he believed that she didn't see her coach, it sounded like her penalty would be credited back.
Her behavior was poor, no doubt, but it was her coach who put the disaster in motion, not Serena - that's who her, and our, disgust should be aimed at.
4
@common sense advocate
Oh no, Serena deserves plenty of disgust. This is not her first rodeo, or the first umpire (or line judge) she's abused. she has a clear pattern of this odious behavior. I liked it better when she just feigned injury when she was losing. I think she may be dangerous now.
12
Billie Jean King also needs to apologize, after her op-ed on this same topic.
There is NO excuse for Serena's behavior. She is solely at fault for ruining the US Open finals.
Enough with the "me too" nonsense. This is not about male vs female. This is about acting properly when involved in a sporting event.
It's called "Sportmanship", Billie Jean King. You, of all people, should be aware of its importance. Martina Navratilova got it right!
132
@SalinasPhil
Spot on! In fact I don't think BJK and Serena see the irony in their bringing up #MeToo.
When Serena threatened Carlos that he would never ever be on "her court" again, she was using her fame, popularity and perceived power to intimidate Carlos into offering her an apology. In other words, she felt "privileged" because of who she is in the tennis world.
Isn't this exactly what #MeToo unearthed ... the kind of behaviour men in power were exhibiting?!
It just serves to show ... power, fame, etc corrupts.
3
Serena knew she was going to lose. I am sure that helped set her off. She is human but did make a good recovery when she took over the award ceremony and told the crowd to chill.
4
A heartfelt full-throated apology from Williams to the public, the fans, and to the umpire would help to stem the avalanche of deserved negative publicity. Self-inflicted wounds are the worst. Congrats to Osaka for prevailing with grace under pressure.
21
Serena has done this before when in 2009 she berrated the line judge for a foot fault violation. Osaka was clearly out playing her and she would have lost the match anyway.
6
The lasting sting of this event is that Osaka did not get her moment in the sun. That moment is forever tarnished. Williams took that away from her. I think Williams behaved badly and her last minutes of grace wasn't enough.
62
Serena has a lot of enablers that have convinced her she is the greatest tennis goddess of all time and therefore a deity who does not deserve to lose. Incorrect. Just play the celebration card, Serena, and retire to a rich life with your family and other concerns. Forget about the anger card, the victim card, the race card. Play the celebration card and take the high road. Forget about your father's anger; that's not your life. You're already the slam queen. You don't need another win. Relax and enjoy life and treat your opponents the same way you would treat your friends.
9
A young tennis player on the cusp of world recognition— fame and fortune— this is a lesson in grace, quietness, humility and maturity. I’m so impressed with Naomi Osaka. In front of her, the icon that is Serena Williams, explosively melted down and shattered the entire pedestal holding up her idol. And yet, Miss Osaka held her head high. I think she had tears of sadness and maybe, “guilt” as she said, she knew a lot of people were cheering against her. I empathize with her. That triumphal moment could never be recreated and forever be marred by the ugliness of what transpired. I salute you, Miss Naomi Osaka! I hope there are more young people like you. Grace under pressure.
38
Ms. Osaka, you are a class act. I was first rooting for Serena but when you demonstrated absolute poise and grace on the court in the midst of Serena's meltdown, I switched allegiance and rooted for you. Enjoy your moment in the spotlight as a true Champion.
33
Too much is being made of all this. Serena Williams got caught up in the heat of the moment and lost her composure. She was already losing the match. That happens. It's a pressure cooker out there.
Naomi Osaka won the match. There's no asterisk that will go by her name. She won it fair and square. The crowd was against her the whole time, as Serena Williams was clearly its favorite, but that often happens.
Best wishes to both players -- they are both champions. One is at the end of her career. The other, the beginning. But both have made their mark.
8
It is about time to read a thoughtful and balanced response to the whole controversy. For the past few days clearly most of the comments expressed in public were in support of Williams, whether from former players, celebrities, women's rights activists, media types, etc.. So much hypes and pressure were put on Williams to succeed with the commercials and whatnot that when she failed, she failed spectacularly. Even the USTA president couldn't help herself by saying the outcome was not what everyone had hoped during the award ceremony, totally in denial and disrespectful to the new champion and star in women's tennis. It was a shameful spectacle solely created by Williams with the encouragement of the New York crowd.
In this time of racial pureness preferred by our own president, it was heartening and gratifying to see someone who embodies the Asian and Afro-Caribbean cultures came through and be a shining star for all. Naomi Osaka, you are truly a deserving champion.
38
In response to the commenters arguing that praising Osaka's conduct reinforces oppressive feminine norms, I do see your point. However, it's not the whole story. I am a man who aspires to be more like Osaka. I'm not aspiring to docility, subordination, impotence, or meekness, but to civility, humility, restraint, and poise. Given the current U.S. cultural climate, Osaka's powerful embodiment of these virtues last Saturday provides a sorely needed object lesson for us all.
75
@James
Being another male your comment speaks to me! And very eloquently written. Thank you.
3
Ms. Osaka rightly won this match and the title and all that goes with it.
but she had a moment for a chance at true immortality.
what she might have done is told the judge that she did not want the gift of the game that serena was forced to forfeit.
one might have many views of what went down between serena and that judge. one might even believe that the forfeit of a game was justified (personally, i don't).
but in a match like this it was a zero sum game, and it tainted the athleticism of ms. osaka's victory.
imagine what the world would now be saying if she had told the judge either to not force the forfeit of the game, or to take one away from her to even the score.
there was a similar moment in the epic borg/mcenroe saga when a judge made a bad call, costing mcenroe a point. john of course screamed and yelled about it.
but then borg purposely hit the next ball into the stands. it was one of the classiest moments in the history of sports.
if ms. osaka had thrown away that next game to even the score, she would be on a pedestal of immortality right now.
@harvey wasserman yeah that is a lot to ask of a 20 year old who was dominating her opponent. In general elite athletes don’t engage in do-overs. Serena was docked for clear rule violations. Why should Naomi give her a opponent points?
11
@harvey wasserman
Respectfully, it's asking too much for an opponent to indulge Serena's childish behavior. Her coach broke the rules, and Serena continued to break them in the heat of the moment.
9
@Mike
Naomi purposely gave Serena the game right after the referee penalized Serena. Look at the incident again. Naomi is smarter and better than a lot of us. I had a chance to see her play last Wednesday and when she beat Serena for this her second time she was brilliant.
Surprised this is even a controversial topic. Serena behaved like a child and Osaka with class. Her reputation and hit have already taken hits in the past, and I hope she can keep it under control to salvage what is left. Cause she's a gifted athlete who has had to overcome monumental challenges that few others on her stage have faced. She has also been a pioneer for women in sports. But all of that will be weighed with her character in the final analysis.
29
Reading Mr. Clarey's article reminded me of the only professional exhibition I attended in 1965 at the old Armory on 34th Street. This was before tennis went big time. It was a sport working fo-lks followed, and recall that in the matches that included Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, Andre Jimenez and Pablo Gonzalez, several rough looking types sitting behind us in the stands rode Gonzalez mercilessly because of his age. Stands were only a little bit more than half full. -Now, you need a home mortgage loan at FOREST HILLS just to pay for refreshments, and only the well to do can afford to be there. 1 even sees some folks in the stands wearing their tennis outfits with their rackets in hand, as if they had just come off the court themselves. 1 NY Post sports writer made the crack that it's as if fans at a boxing match showed up wearing boxing trunks!!
7
I think the worst offense was not calling Ramos a "thief". It was saying he'd never work one of her matches again. That's a direct career threat to an official.
I have not idea of male players say the same thing with impunity. I'm just saying that is worse than the "thief" language.
23
@nub
Players have no power to enforce such announcements. The players and umpires all know this. In fact Serena has worked with several lines judges and umpires who she said would never work one of her matches again. It was not a nice thing to say, but it was toothless.
Sometimes USTA does quietly arrange for certain players and judges to have little temporary "vacations" from each other, but they are temporary.
@nub
You might notice, as I have, as I watch and attend a lot tennis matches. When the guys go off on an umpire, they usually mute the microphone...as the expletives can fly.
Not so with Serena. The Ump should have muted the mic. The court mics would not have picked much of the exchange...
"The only full-blown victim on Saturday was the winner: Naomi Osaka."
This statement gives way too much credit and grossly overstates Serena's presence. Serena showed she is a pouty, disrespectful, selfish and at times violent child. In addition, the match showed how pathetic NY fans are. And the emcee at the awards ceremoy should never be allowed to enter a tennis stadium again. Osaka is far from a victim. She was simply a bystander watching a bunch of ignorant bums throw around a mythical piece of luggage.
43
Playing sandlot ball as a kid there was this one neighbor who liked to win but was freakishly resentful when he lost. When the lost game was about to conclude he would always explode and start a fight. Shouting, crying, throwing punches, pouting, making up arguments… His behavior left all of us thinking what an unstable jerk he was. It got so we could predict this scene based on the score of the game and whether his side was losing.
I sometimes wonder what happened to that kid. I wonder because over the years nobody kept in touch with him. ‘Cuz was a jerk.
Maybe he grew up to be a tennis pro?
14
@RR He became President Trump.
10
... and some of us never win our first Grand Slam title at all.
4
Serena"s hysterical, grandiose, narcissistic, unsportsmanlike tantrum leaves an indelible bad taste. I hope Serena never wins another major. Period.
44
She's over for me; as far as I am concerned, she should retire in shame and disappear off the face of the Earth.
7
Those who can, play. Those who can't, interrupt the game, call the judge names, break their rackets, etc.
Serena Williams' performance at the US Open demonstrated physical and mental weakness.
Having had a baby a year ago, she has still not lost all the weight she put on during pregnancy, nor has she regained the elite-level physical conditioning she had prior to her pregnancy. She does devote time to being a mother, but her great wealth (and her husband's) permit them to have nannies, cooks and other servants who allow Serena to spend so much time training and competing. However, regaining and maintaining top physical condition at the advanced age of 36 is clearly a major challenge for her.
Serena showed a major lack of mental and emotional control, breaking a racket and calling an umpire a liar and thief. She has previously been penalized for such lack of self-control.
Denying she was coached from the stands was insulting to her fans and to the game, especially since the coach admitted the violation!
Serena Williams was not defeated by an umpire; she was defeated by herself and by a younger, better-conditioned, better-behaved and better-playing opponent.
Shame on Serena for trying to blame the judge for her poor performance. It is very unfortunate that Serena's unsportsmanlike behavior and comments detracted from the noteworthy victory by Naomi Osaka.
59
@Mon Ray
1/4 right. Serena should have better self-control. But lets give her some emotional slack...like we do most athletes in championship games. She didn't attack the opponent, or cause any one bodily harm.
The Ump inserted himself into the game, and had the power to deescalate the whole thing. Which is the Umps job. Players are emotional, a lot is on the line, and as such, they need to know when to insert their power and not. And a coaching from the box call is absurd in that setting. Unless you can get a clear, direct line of sight with player and box, the ump should not have made the call. But warned the player. No way he could know what the coach was doing, or if he was motioning to the person next to him in the box...as Serena was not in a direct line sight. And the game play.
At 4-3, you simply do not give a game to the leader, and make it 5-3. In the second set. You warn, you warn again. You don't tilt the match in one players favor.
You deescalate and let the players play.
2
There is nothing in Williams' demeanor during this match that defines "Champion". Rather is brings to mind a petulance brought about by losing and an over sized sense that the past has created an all forgiving aura. Her actions far transcend McEnroe's famous "you gotta be kidding" outrages. Braking a racket is the act of a child. In golf, if you deliberately damage a club you can not replace it in that round. Applying the same rule....
And congratulations to Naomi Osaka who was not only winning the match, and most likely have won anyway, but has had her much deserved moment thwarted by infantile behavior.
26
@Richard Frauenglass Great suggestion--play with the broken racket. I wonder if the Wilson company paid her to break that racket. If all the kids start doing that, it could be a gold mine for them.
3
The ugly crown demonstrated the adolescent jingoism prevalent in sports.
Should we root only for the American players? Why not the ones that show the best skill, heart - and sportsmanship? Look at Venus or Federer - it does not matter the country in which they were born, we love them for how they play and act in the arena.
18
I hope someone besides me noticed that Naomi gave Serena back the game she had been penalized. Serena went into the 5-4 game as if she had not thrown a tantrum. She still could not break Naomi. Serena is supremely talented but often her own worst enemy. She and her coach obviously use on court coaching regularly since he expected her to see and follow his motions.
21
Agree in every respect. I was appalled to hear commentators on Saturday faulting the umpire, who followed the rules exactly as they are written. BTW, Serena not only called him a thief, she also called him a liar. It's on the tape.
An additional point-- after Mouratoglou made the motion for Serena to go to the net, Serena DID start to go to the net, and it worked, sort of, for a few minutes. Seems to be evidence that not only did he coach, but she saw him and understood what he was suggesting.
30
@Mary
Of course she follows the coaching. If she did not, he would not bother to make the signals.
5
@Mary
Regretfully certain rules are not called as they are written. If you attend tennis matches, as I do, you know coaching from the box is ubiquitous, but its not the sort of coaching in other sports. A gesture, a nod, etc are often difficult to see from the court. The coaches are not screaming instructions, or standing there making signals like a baseball coach. Its subtle and normal in every match, in every stadium, at every level of play. Some tournaments allow coaching on the court if the player calls them down.
The Ump failed to warn, but went straight to the penalty. The norm is to warn. Give the player something to think about. That's the norm. Unless the coach and player are flaunting their communication.
If you attend and watch a lot of tennis, you would notice that very often when male players go off on an umpire, they typically mute the microphone.
The Ump inappropriately inserted himself into the game, and tilted the game. You do not give a game at 4-3, to go to 5-3. In the second set of a final. You warn. And warn again.
1
If a winner of a grand slam event is reduced to tears and to apologizing to the audience for winning in the finest moment of their young career, then everyone involved in this debacle, including the assembled spectators, need to take a look in the mirror. It's a shambolic sport if it is capable of descending into farce on such a grand stage.
69
Bravo, Christopher Clarey, for having the courage to write a thoughtful and honest analysis about this match. Finally someone in the media is willing to state the truth about this, something we seem to have little interest in these days. I'm a woman, by the way, and never for a moment did I think sexism was at play here.
103
Totally agree. @Mr. Clarey and Mr. Rothenberg should be congratulated for giving us this honest analysis and reflection of what I believe most people are feeling. Serena's behavior has been poor before and to make this into a gender issue is ridiculous . Just look at what happened to Fognini last year at the Open and to many other men over the years. Congratulations to Naomi Osaka for a victory well deserved. You are a remarkable young women!
MDC
6
Juliet Macur also wrote an excellent, thoughtful piece, agreeing almost completely with what‘s written here. Well worth a read, as is Martina Navritilova‘s take.
5
@MDC, I could not have said it better. I totally agree with you. Keep up great work you're doing!! Same to Mr. Clarey for showing such courage and brains.
1
As demonstrated in this article, Williams has a history of overreacting and bad behavior that winds up in penalties on the court. Ramos, as pointed out in another article by they Times yesterday, has a long history of being a stickler and penalizing both men and women for infractions like those committed by Williams.
Regardless of Williams' self-obsessed belief that she was treated unfairly, in fact, she was treated just like everyone else by this particular umpire.
The scene she caused reflected badly on the game of tennis and was completely and utterly unfair to her young opponent. As mentioned in this article, Williams owes Ms. Osaka a apology.
Ms. Williams, it's starting to appear, may be frustrated that she is past her athletic prime and the young guard isn't just rising, but is in fact shooting her down. Everybody should remember that Ms. Osaka beat Ms. Williams earlier this year, absent any controversy.
Ms. Williams may not want to go gently into that goodnight, but she should at least have the self-awareness and class to allow her opponents to revel in their moment, when it's their time.
Ms. Williams has had a brilliant career. It may not be over, but it is certainly in its twilight. She needs to find it in herself to be happy for her opponents, when - both having given their all - she finds herself on the losing side.
That's called sportsmanship. Ms. Williams seems to need to be reminded of just exactly what that is.
73
Saw the replay of the final 9 or 10 minutes of the awards ceremony and I thought Williams was gracious in defeat. Notice she had her army around 0saka, and how can you feel sorry for someone, a 20 year old who has no doubt been playing tennis since age one, encouraged by her well to do parents? RL saw Osaka as the victim, the outsider, and compared her to Trump upsetting HRC, and the comparison is absurd. Tell Alexander Harrison how you can feel sorry, moreover, for someone who has just been handed a check for 3.8 million dollars? 0saka is no underdog by any means.As far as Williams is concerned,believe that the years add up- and there is no way a late thirties something athlete competes on a tennis court with a talented 20 year old! Good match, and my best to both of them!
2
@Alexander Harrison, Williams was gracious in defeat only when she realized she had dug a huge hole for herself.
19
@PeterH,
Well said!!
I have been waiting for a long time for the next star to unseat Serena Williams. I do not mean to diminish Serena's accomplishments, which have been stellar. But, it's time to step aside and let the next generation in. And the fans should embrace that.
As in many professions, winning or succeeding becomes obsessive hoarding. Just look at Congress, or corporate America.
Many in my generation, and the generation after, have been prevented from advancing by people who kept their seats too long by refusing to cede or retire.
Sports is no different.
I wish Naomi Osaka the very best, and I am so sorry I cannot give her back her moment of glory, which she truly deserved.
11
I love both Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. I was rooting for Williams until midmatch. Osaka's playing and composure were stunning. And when Serena went after the umpire, I was so disappointed. I actually felt disappointed not only with her but with the crowd that booed her. Both her reaction and the crowd's reaction were horrifying. Further, I binge-watched "Tennis Players losing their cool" You Tube videos afterwards. Whether the offending player was male or female, explosive reactions like William's were usually a quick route to losing the match. Not only that the beauty of the game is ruined by these outbursts. I hate to think they would be allowed in any gender. Osaka's playing was an eloquent lyric that ennobles the game. She won handily. Kudos to her!
22
Naomi, You are 100% wonderful !!
12
It was clear watching that game that Serena was totally being dominated by Naomi. This something that Serena could not fathom. She appeared to have come to the game expecting to win and be able to give the winners speech "How difficult this was for me following my baby .... blah, blah ...". The bottom line is that she was getting beat and could not stomach it. All the stuff about the coaching, the ranting, the breaking of her racket, accusing the umpire of bias, etc. was a disingenuous show to deflect her inability to handle Naomi. The worst part was her telling the crowd at the end not to boo Naomi. She was enjoying all the booing and was getting more hyped about it. Serena Williams is a pathetic example of over-hyped, over-paid and arrogant bully-athletes who expect that the opponent to be cowered by them and the crowd. Until they get upended by the calm and humble types. Well done Naomi Osaka!
46
I appreciate that Beth Rothenberg and Martina Navratilova said what I've been thinking all weekend long. But why the mealy-mouthed, apologetic tone? Why opine that the chair ump is a "stickler for the rules" and could have handled the situation better? Why lionize Serena, the "supreme competitor," before hitting her ever so softly?
The controversy is not just that Serena was a classless crybaby on Saturday, but also that the world is afraid to call her on it. She tarnished what should have been Naomi Osaka's moment in the sun and made the day all about Serena. She resorted to reprehensible name calling and showed a young generation of tennis fans that when things don't go your way, you should throw a tantrum and demean those around you. After all, what are the repercussions? The people of New York will raucously applaud you, provided you've adequately established your lifelong narrative as a victim. (Indeed, they'll even boo the real victim.) The media will suggest you were cheated. The celebrities and glitterati will blame the stickler umpire for unfairly targeting you. Nike will hail you a hero. And even those who are disgusted by your conduct will only mildly criticize you while casting equal blame on the system, and on sexism, racism, and whatever else they can cook up. So go ahead, children, throw your tantrum.
Serena was poor sport, a sore loser, and a terrible role model on Saturday. But everyone is afraid to say so.
83
@Alejandro Gonzalez Williams is now an institution in the biz, and an industry unto herself. All of the attendant commentators and presenters were doing what corporate attendants do, obsequiously kissing the ring even when they were bound by the reality to offer critique. It's the money corruption of sport.
7
Hot take: the conflict and chaos made this victory all the more sweeter, and harder-won. All that drama - more accurately, Osaka's response to it - gave more to her victory than it took away. As Mouratoglou pointed out, Osaka remained cooler than the other side of the pillow from start to finish. That victory was earned, big time.
13
Why can’t we call spade a spade, Serena is bad loser! Why use convoluted rationale to discount her outrageous behaviour after she designated the umpire a thief, smashed a racket, and threatened that he may never officiate her match again.
To top it, she then claims sexism, This wasn’t defending feminism but unbridled arrogance.
Tennis is watched all over the globe, To see a veteran champion, denigrate the game by childish outbursts when being roundly outplayed by some inspired play by a much younger opponent was too much for us to bear.
Hope that the graciousness Osaka displayed imparts Serena some lessons in humility.
60
@ well said
Can you imagine what would happened, and what today would be happening, if Serena’s opponent had been white?
5
Careful now, Mr. Clarey.
You criticize the mighty Williams money making machine, you may well regret it.
Serena, a wildly successful, driven, talented, sometimes tough, immensely wealthy athlete - is also a cry baby; a sore loser; a poor sport and has only herself to blame for this fiasco.
Well done Ms. Osaka. Best of luck in the future.
74
After this very ugly episode of an adult in a professional function going completely off the rails, it's important to notice the real double standard in tennis: between players (of both sexes) who scowl, fume, scream at every serve and rally stroke (as if that meant they were trying harder instead of, you know, just screaming), yell at the line umpires, yell at the chair umpire, grimace and shake their fist at their opponent, thrash their racket in the air or throw it to the ground in pique; and the players like naomi osaka or sloane stevens who go out, play tennis, and take the game win or lose.
It's not a matter of personality but professionalism, and I ardently hope people like naomi can clean up the tennis sportsmanship expectations that have grown too permissive.
Time for some players to grow up.
13
The only thief was Serena. She stole all the attention from Osaka. The only cheater was Serena. She cheated millions of people out of watching a great tennis match. Her claims of sexism fail when she wants equality in bad behavior!! Setting an example for her child?? Just wait till said child has her first temper tantrum. A great champion loses with grace.
23
It’s is called a Kayne West.
10
What is an umpire? The sports equivalent of a bureaucrat... Somebody who never excelled in a sport and therefore, embarked on a career in judging it.
Envy against talent, power of a system against an isolated individual...
Now, if power is given to a 50ish white male, not particularly gifted for tennis, over a black superchampion, who has seen it all and has a short fuse for abuse, a clash is bound to happen.
Who started it? The umpire indeed....
1
@Jean Roudier
What exactly are you proposing? For the players to duke it out when they disagree? Thumb-wrestle? Officials are an integral part of sports and this one does not deserve the scorn given to him. He's the most accomplished umpire active, from what I've read.
10
@Jean Roudier
Serena's coach started the problem.
@Jean Roudier
Entitled millionaires who think they don't have to follow the rules of lowly layman and "bureaucracts". Your class prejudice is sickening and demeaning.
2
This analysis is spot on. Serena is obnoxious and a sore loser. The fact that she would make her conduct about feminism reeks of opportunism and does a disservice to the cause. If Naomi were not half black half Asian, she and her supporters would have made this about racism. But that tool was blunted by the identity of her opponent.
24
The penalties went one two three. 1. The chair may have overacted but Serena's coach admitted afterward he was coaching. 2. Smashing a tennis racquet into a spaghetti ball is a notably visible breech of the rules. 3. Serena's harangue was not simple 'arguing' with the chair, she was bullying in the full sense of the word. To attribute this to past abuses of racism and sexism is disingenuous. Those matters are, and continue to be, a matter of serious dialogue. Serena has been a participant in that process. Exploding in rage during the deciding set of a Grand Slam match is the worst of all possible choices to correct past abuses. Morning TV chat mentioned racism as a motivation for her outburst. Some people apparently weren't paying attention of the nationality or skin tones of her opponent. On display was the new order of multiracial competition in the sport.
Well before the fabled outburst Osaka's talents were in full and elegant display. Like Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens she brings new energies and excitement to the sport. Tennis fans throughout the world can't wait for the new season to begin. Osaka's extraordinary grace and humanity are a blessing to our nation and to all nations. Let's turn to her and youth like her to lead us into the future.
25
This is the third time that Serena Williams has faced aggressive intervention by chair umpires during late-stage matches at the US Open. The blame for what happened should not be on her. The role of the chair umpire is to stay out of the way--make sure the score and line calls are accurate, and let the players play fairly. What Ramos did instead was assert himself into the match, and he is the one who should face repercussions.
Yes, smashing a racket out of frustration is unprofessional--but let's face it, the fans love to know that their champion is trying her hardest and hungry for victory. And when you compare Williams' behavior to that of countless men on the tour (McEnroe? Connors? Kyrgios?) the unfairness is even more obvious. I actually agree that sexism could be part of this, but also the ego and stubbornness of the umpire.
I have more respect for Williams after this, particularly since she recognized the negative impact on Osaka and tried to make amends. Let us not forget that without that unfair game penalty, she very well might have won this match, and if not, she would have graciously stepped aside and let Osaka take the credit she deserves (as she did for Kerber at Wimbledon and the Aussie Open).
4
@Ted Let’s remember that Serena received a warning on the coaching violation, not a penalty point. At that juncture, she should and could have doubled down, gotten back to work and demonstrated that she could take control of the second set. But Serena instead made the fateful decision to smash her racket when she was broken by Naomi and the rest is history. Serena lost the match because of her decisions and because Naomi outplayed her in convincing fashion. Naomi Osaka soundly beat Serena Williams.
4
There are questionable calls from referees in every sport but one thing is clear: you never get the penalty overturned by arguing with the referee. As a professional, Serena should have done better. And the crowd was shameful in their booing as the awards ceremony began.
It's sad that Naomi's incredible achievement continues to be ignored. At the end of 2017 she was only ranked 65th in the world. In her last two matches at the US Open she saved 14 out of 15 break points against the very best players. WOW!
22
A bit like with McEnroe, this behavior needed to be nipped in the bud. Now she can manipulate the media to say a lot of things, she can command the love of fans with very low ethical standards. The integrity of the game is at stake here. Tank you Mr. Ramos for upholding it. Shame on the WTA for siding with the culprit. Can you imagine a tennis played by the Fogninis, Kyrgios, and Williams types, without restraint? Make them play in their own tournaments, without umpires and line judges. Tennis Smackdown. It will be a runaway success. Leave tennis alone. By the way, thank you NYT for turning off comments on most articles related to this incident. We get the message.
11
Finally! I agree with this perspective. Too many people are saying the match was ruined by the ump; I could not have been more appalled by Serena’s behavior, once again, and I’m glad this struck highlights the 2009 and 2011 matches, which so many others have glossed over. Serena ruined this match and then tried to come off as a gracious victim at the ceremony. Sorry, see right through #thismomma!
28
Taking on huge adversities such as racism and sexism, Serena is a proven winner. However, she must realize how she played a crucial part in ruining the magical moment for Naomi. Naomi deserved a much warmer reception for her incredible achievement from the ex-champ.
No matter how spectacular you are, one day, you will fall out of the champ's seat and the new champ will arrive. Serena missed her best opportunity to be a gracious ex-champ. She still has second-best opportunity to amend her mistake. I hope she takes it.
12
in watching the match there was no thought of politics or sexism in my mind.. all i could see was a player who was being soundly defeated by another and totally lost control.. yes the chair umpire should have defused the situation but serena also with all her years of experience should have walked away after the warning and addressed her complaints after the match.. i know many will disagree but this is what i saw.. the only irony of it all was to see temper tantum whiner john mcenroe posing for photos with finals winner novak djokovic.. a lot of hypocrisy on the part of the USTA
19
At the very start of the conflict, when the "coaching" call was made, Serena pretended that the issue was that the umpire was, in effect, calling her a "cheater," which she seemed to take as a tremendous insult. This "grave issue of cheating" also created an opening, an occasion, for her to proceed to really unload on the umpire. She was manipulating the situation from square one, at least that's how I see it. Serena ought to take on Kellyanne Conway---that would be an interesting match---not in tennis, of course, but debating.
13
What a shame that the press allowed this to overshadow Osaka's win. While the issue should be looked at (and I personally agree that punishment did not fit the crime), it's a shame that every publication had photos of Williams' on its cover. Even this article is relatively hidden digitally, in a small box near a photo of...you guessed it, Williams.
Well done, Osaka.
11
I know this talented young woman who is now a Grand Slam Champion idolized her opponent, but I hope she never emulates her behavior when she is losing. I know the difference between righteous indignation and poor sportsmanship. Having watched Serena's tantrum, her post match actions and comment ring hollow. Congratulations Ms. Osaka! You won fair and square. Do not let anyone ever make you think differently.
21
I'm not much of a tennis fan, but its seems like this 'no coaching' rule is a little ridiculous. Sure, its an individual sport, but plenty of other individual sports have coaching going on. In fact, I think they all do.
7
The Open ended with a whimper, utterly forgettable. Awful officiating, poor use of multi-million dollar facilities (i.e., the roof), and, though no fault of the USTA, comical TV commentary (Patrick McEnroe, Chris Fowler really? Why no Martina? These guys need to study the BBC to understand what smart tennis commentators look like.)
3
From the outside looking in:
Naomi Osaka acted with grace and dignity
Serena Williams acted disgracefully.
37
Triumph of American gender politics over sportsmanship - a lost value in this era.
1
Serena is wrong and it is a mistake for those who care about Women's Rights to try to defend her. I say this as strong an advocate of Women's Rights as anyone. Her defenders complain that "Woman are called hysterical!". SHE WAS HYSTERICAL!!!
Can you even imagine Roger or Rafa or Novak or Andy or Stan or Juan acting like that? Serena is not ALL WOMEN. Serena is Serena and Serena was hysterical, not ALL WOMEN. Stop hiding behind Women's Rights and accept responsibility for individual conduct. Stop trying to fuzz the issue by discussing broader issues that have no relevance to Serena's conduct here. My support of Women's rights remains strong and unchanged by this Bad Conduct, but my respect for BJK and others who are unwisely trying to justify Serena is substantially diminished. Very Unwise. Very.
16
Creating a distraction to upstage and annoy an opponent; yes, Serena Williams did steal the limelight from a very deserving Naomi Osaka. Playing the victim when she was actually the perpetrator. Mouthing irrelevant political statements to make herself sound virtuous. The insincere embrace of an adversary. If Donald Trump is looking for a like-minded running mate in 2020 he need look no further than Serena Williams.
22
Tennis now has its own Ms. Tiger Woods. Her name is Osaka.
I have no sympathy for the " tirade" Serena show cased on Saturday. She was being over powered and over matched, so of course there had to be a fall person, someone to blame. I felt her display and indignation was not of inequality and injustice, was more "how dare you- don't you know who I am?" mentality. Her actions was just "theatrics."
Serena is gifted, and from all accounts benefited greatly from a sport, along with her skills and tenacity, that has lifted her up to the highest of achievement. Too bad she cant accept defeat graciously, take ownership of her actions- that is the test of a champion.
Osaka deserves to hold her head high, raise her trophy to the sky, because she was the better player both in talent and grace on and off the tennis court.
14
The sentiment of what happened in this match, follows a similar track as those leading up to the Democratic primaries in 2016.
The opinion of the tennis community and the media stands largely in stark contrast to the public opinion aggregate in the comments section.
In both the Presidential Primaries as well as in Big Tennis, identity politics are leveraged by Big Business.
It's the "article" versus the "comments" all over again.
4
When Serena Williams’ coach admitted that he was sending her signals during the finals, which the sport does not allow, her subsequent tirade at the chair umpire was defused. An infraction, however minor or rarely enforced, is a violation of that sport’s code of conduct and ethics. Williams claims that the sport’s men yell at officials and have meltdowns all the time and are rarely penalized but that’s beside the point. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
At that point in the match, Williams was being outplayed by her younger opponent and may have sensed that the match and title were slipping away from her. The battle between Williams and the chair umpire degenerated into a battle of egos, with no give from either party. Williams shamed the umpire before the entire stadium and millions watching at home. The umpire, backed into a corner by Williams’ ferocious attack, retaliated with the ultimate power play, his absolute authority, and punished Williams severely, essentially ending the match. The rules of tennis support the umpire’s actions, although he could have been flexible and admonished Williams about the infraction.
Williams made the match and the moment all about herself. She demanded an apology from the chair umpire, never considering for a moment that it was she who owed Naomi Osaka an apology.
21
Thank-you to the match winner for a wonderful, powerful, sports tennis win !
Thank-you also to the author of this article for it points out even more how much of a win this was with all its distractions and Williams still playing like a pro.
I am a senior who so much enjoys the fact that multiculturalism is also winning with this win ! I am a white Jew who sees the future in diversity and in sports this often happens through hard work and commitment like from the winner of this Grand Slam (and her devoted focused parents - both of them keeping their cultures alive, honoring a great nation like the Japanese and Haiti ). Again, Naomi deserves all the attention for a beautiful performance !
6
You are right that her coach, top level and experienced that he is, should have known that Ramos would penalize coaching.
It just occurred to me that it might have been a piece of strategy, to change the momentum of the match by creating a disturbance. Serena played right into it.
11
20+ Grand Slams and you need a coach to tell you to come to net more vs an opponent who is bringing back your best stuff?!
The initial code violation for coaching may be an argument but if any athlete talks to a ref the way she did with the “Do You Know Who I Am” tone when they merely could of refocused is asking for more trouble. Who among us wouldn’t react when someone tells us off the way she did the ref/ump. If she had spoken with respect I might more likely to see her side. Is she going to start the SERENA/TOO! Movement?
I think Osaka needs a new role model.
53
@Al
I can only relate it to a good ump in baseball, who might let a player or manager argue for a few minutes without tossing them. I can't imagine going on a tirade like Serena did and not getting tossed. Note those players are male.
6
@neal
Agreed.
Imagine if the ref had been female and the player male and he used the same tone!
If you are going to be a stickler for the rules, be a stickler for the rules EVERY time with EVERY player. Don't selectively choose to be a stickler against certain players. Have a level playing field. It's a difficult concept for people to grasp if you've never had the floor tilted against you, but I assure you, it happens. Look at the disparity in medical care, in education, in pay... among different groups of people. One only has to open their eyes to connect the dots.
6
@Calimom Can you name a match where a player insulted the umpire so loudly that everyone in the stadium and on TV could hear it, and got away with it? I watch a lot of tennis and I never saw this even once. Surely not in the modern era. There is no double standard here, because nobody is as rude and awful and entitled as Serena Williams. Except that Fognini guy, and he got kicked out of the tournament for it.
17
I thought the booing at the awards ceremony was for Serena’s ugly behavior ruining the moment for Osaka.
14
@Nobis Miserere
No unfortunately the assembled crowd (and media) were largely in Serena's corner. A star player can do that by arguing how she did. In fact The Guardian reported the media applauded (!) her post-game comments where she defended by behavior based on feminism.
7
@Nobis Miserere
If only that were true.Serena was an embarrassment to the United States of America
6
@Nobis Miserere
Sadly no. The crowd was for Serena and protesting that Serena lost. The crowd was shameful, wrong, and unfair to Osaka who won in spite of Serena's distracting behavior.
12
Serena owes Naomi an apology. One that does not somehow shine the spotlight on herself or make her a victim. What a shameful way to lose, and to someone that has spent their life idolizing you at that. Worst sportsmanship and biggest sore loser I’ve ever seen. Naomi Osaka is the new role model for tennis, one that shows patience and humility, even when victorious.
184
We all agree about the tragedy that was Osaka’s sad tearful face at what should have been her singular triumph. We all feel the injustice of her position, a situation in no way of her making.
Nonetheless, Ms Williams is being held to much higher standards than her male counterparts. She is being discussed, dissected, vilified and penaltied in ways that no man has to tolerate. Was she rude? Yes. Was she partly to blame? Yes. But does she deserve this level of criticism, vitriol and drama? No. This is occurring because she is a woman. Women are scrutinized and blamed more easily and and with more vitriol than men are. Angry women are dissected, analyzed and debated with more words in more articles for more time than is warranted. Men are chastised for losing their temper. Women are vilified and character assasinated. This is sexism at work.
16
@Srobona Chatterjee I never saw another player, male or female, behave as awful as Serena Williams did. And she didn't do it for the first time. She is judged more harshly than others because she is much more awful others. When did another player, male or female, crudely insult and threaten a line judge for a correct call? I've never seen it at the top level. When did another player insult the umpire so loudly that everyone could hear it, and threaten him that he'd basically lose his job, while totally being in the wrong? Never seen that either. This is not about men or women, this is only about a person with an awful character: Serena Williams.
3
@Srobona Chatterjee - yes she does deserve the criticism because she is a sore loser and always claims its not her fault for all her problems. She left the runner up plate on her chair at Wimbledon just 2 months ago. she was playing a woman, so why do you say she was scrutinized for being a woman? No class at all.
4
@Srobona Chatterjee I don't think you're right about that.
I think the harshness of the criticism here is driven mostly by the impact Serena's conduct (and the conduct of the umpire, crowd, and commentators) had on a young player, Naomi Osaka. She deserved to have the best day of her life. I'm not sure that's what she got.
Serena needs to understand the power she wields, and use it judiciously.
6
I watched this match unfold and was very consternated by the conduct of Ms Williams on the court. She was losing the match and I believe she was angry about that. I watched as she had one temper tantrum after another. I was embarrassed by her unsportsmanlike conduct and robbing Ms Osaka of the glory she so richly deserved. She played the better match, while Ms Williams lost her cool and marred the game. Ms Navratilova is correct in her assessment of the way that match was conducted and that violations are there for a reason. Ms Williams owes Ms Osaka and the world of tennis am apology.
144
Osaka "lost her moment of triumph"?
Because a jock busted her racket and her mind while the crowd turned paleolithic?
Osaka's star never shown brighter.
84
I feel I point to some comments here by men (and some women) extolling the virtues of Osaka's "sweet" and "shy" demeanor as virtuous. One even stating that it is a"delightful contrast to the killer [Williams] on the court."
I agree that it stands in contrast. But can everyone truly NOT see that defining what is acceptable in women and limiting women to behaviors and emotions that are controllable, meek and weak (like obedient, patient, sweet, shy) is the VERY thing that have kept women relegated to the realm of double standards, inequality, and abuse?
The notion that men should define what is acceptable in women and allow men a different standard is at the heart of the issue. If there are behaviors and emotions that are tolerated or acceptable in men (who are human beings) then those same traits are acceptable and tolerable in women (also human beings).
That's the double standard. It must stop.
10
This isn’t about being “shy” and “sweet.” It’s about not throwing a tantrum at your job when you’re a grown woman. If I did what Serena did at my job I would be fired and possibly charged with assault. No grown woman — let alone a MOTHER — should behave that way.
20
@Humble Beast
There is nothing weak about being strong enough to master your emotions.
The double standard is that men are not called out enough for their childish behavior and tantrums. It seems in tennis they get away with it far more. That is what needs to end. I don't believe it benefits the sport to use the worst behavior of some players as am excuse to accept unsportsmanlike behavior.
2
Cheating is not watching your coach giving signals and believing he gave you two thumbs up (which I have not seen him do before, particularly at a point in the match where "thumbs up" just doesn't make sense?)
Cheating is when you adjust your game, following those instructions (in this case supposedly meaning "go to the net" and admitted by the coach after the game).
And that is what Serena did. Just look at how often she went to the net before the signal (almost never) and immediately thereafter - which in fact improved her game and gave her a few extra points.
And why would you keep looking at your coach so frequently that you even notice his very brief "thumbs up" signal when you claim you are never, ever looking for signals or instructions from over there?
Last but not least should the rules for coaching really be changed because "everybody does it" as senior players/commentators suggested after the game? How unfair to the few who play by the rules and develop their own strategy on the court? Maybe the change should be that trainers will be ejected from the court after an initial warning from the referee if they keep doing it, that seems fairer to me and is applied in other sports where coaching may help a player.
40
It is hard to explain Serena's denial of coaching when we look at the hand gestures the coach made - and his nod at the end showing that Serena received the message. That Serena received the message was confirmed by the fact that she started going to the net after the prohibited coaching. If true, her tantrum was not only bad form, but also self-righteous and dishonest.
92
Thank you Christopher for writing about Naomi
The future of women’s tennis is here, alive and well.
12
Serena was Robbed.
3
Of what? The better player won.
2
@Ron P You obviously didn't watch the match. She handily lost the first set, well before any penalties were awarded. Are you really trying to steal a victory from a 20 year old girl?
11
She might've been robbed of a point, but she couldn't control her outrage, which is why she was further penalized with loss of a game. I bet if she'd looked over at her coach, instead of continuing to berate the referee, he'd have been giving her a signal to calm down.
5
Spot on, Christopher. I don't know which was worse, Serena's disgraceful badgering of the chair umpire or the crowd's cheering and booing over the same. There were a whole lotta ugly Americans in the stadium that night. Serena's treatment of the umpire would have gotten her kicked out of the game in most other sports. Shameful that Serena and the crowd marred the wonderful and rather decisive first Grand Slam win by Osaka. Serena is the one who should apologize, to Ramos, to Osaka and to the entire tennis community for her indefensible beahviour.
68
Serena in victory or defeat always has to make it about Serena. She creates a melodramatic scene and then after it is over calls on others to relax and give her opponent her due. And then expects others to say what a gracious competitor she is. This is the moral equivalent of starting a fire and then expecting thanks when you help extinguish it. Osaka played great and was the epitome of graciousness and match tough tenacity. Serena should study Osaka's play and temperament. She might learn a thing or two.
144
I understand that the code violation calls on the men players are eight nine times more than the ladies players. It would be interesting to hear Keys and Stephens what they have to say. We also need to remember that Serena were sited for code violation quite a few times before and some of them by lady umpires. Remember the time she told a lines lady that she would stuff a ball down her throat? To jump so quickly and automatically to the MeToo movement does a disservice. And to think that she has won hundreds of millions of prize money being a champion for so many times and still lacks the grace of a champion is astonishing. Hats off to a new champion Osaka and new top US ladies players like Stephens and Keys.
33
Williams kept insisting that Ramos apologize to her but where is her apology to Osaka for spoiling her moment of achievement?The hatred and vitriol from the crowd was inexcusable.
200
Thank you for saying most of what needed to be said.
I am appalled that Serena would use feminism to try to excuse her bad behavior. She did the same thing in 2009, when she said sexism was involved in punishing her for charging at and threatening the small Asian lineswoman. (Would she have done that if he were large and male?)
Serena's insistence that she never cheats is not credible to me. If that were true she would have made it clear to her coach that there would be no coaching. And since she told Ramos that the coach was only giving her a thumbs up, she apparently saw him. And she adjusted her play to her advantage.
People have criticized Ramos for not giving her informal warnings. Do we know that he didn't? Do we know what he said?
26
Oh come on! Who's fault is that? The media! Focusing on Serena and her meltdown rather than Osaka's win! As for those who say we will never know...no, we know. The momentum was on Osaka's side and she won. If Serena was playing her best she would have won despite what the referee did. What happened is all about the game that was played. Tired of media that continue to focus on the wrong thing. That Osaka played as well as she did despite the booing and tension is a credit to her grit. Come on, people! Give Osaka credit where it is due. A new star is born.
30
I just watched a blurb of Ms. Osaka's interview after her win - wow! What a class act; what a star . . .
69
Osaka's match was amazing, as was her grace and poise. She played the game of her life. No one, not even Williams, was disputing that she deserved the win.
But while the winning moment was spoiled I think the anger directed at Williams is misplaced. Williams reacted to years-in-the-making building frustration with restrictions placed on women tennis players -- and especially frustrations with Ramos, who is a known antagonist and seems to believe that his umpire chair is an emperor's throne.
I think when history looks back on this we will see that Serena was the symptom not the disease. This event was a boiling over of yet another example of the male double standard and possibly a dose of racism in the tennis sports organization. Your anger should be directed at the organization and Carlos Ramos, who is too persnickety in temperament for the profession not to mention clearly antagonistic toward women.
2
Wow, the picture says it all. Naomi Osaka was the true winner in every way. Serena Williams was a bad loser, and played the victim. Her lack of grace was sad to see in an mature woman who is a mother, and champion in the sport.
34
A sore loser not only damaged her own standing, but also that of the feminist cause. I'm sure when her daughter grows up, this would be the episode that she would sit through with her to teach what NOT to do, if at all.
38
Calling out DOUBLE STANDARDS and stanidn up for oneself is more importnat than winning or winners and losers because the reason we all watch is not to see who wins but to see the best in ourselves and to see it recognized. Serena has been tastefully, gracefully and FORECEFULLY standing up against racism, wasp exclusion-ism and sexism forever and her actions here NEEDED to be seen and needed to happen. Time's UP on this nonsense. Osaka will get over it. If she hasn't already.
1
@Mdavis, in the case of Serena, only if you are losing badly.
4
The only apology that’s due is to Naomi Osaka. She is the winner of this Grand Slam and her opponent embarrassed herself and the tennis community with her outbursts.
Serena may have been felt she was wronged but threatening the umpire by saying you will not sit on any of my future games is inexcusable- that’s not being a role model. She tried to rectify at the presentation ceremony with the crowd. But frankly it was too little and too late.
Congrats to Ms Osaka for a great game and a well deserved win. You are the champion in 2018.
24
I agree, that Mouratoglou, Williams, and Ramos all share some of the blame for what happened. Mouratoglou admitted he signaled and coached. Williams was pompous to suggest she would rather lose than "cheat" despite the fact Mouratoglou admitted it.
But when Ramos called a game penalty so late in the match, that was putting his finger too heavily on the scale, and it skewed the match irretrievably.
But there are some questions: If most coaches signal and coach during a match, how is that to be handled equitably, and consistently?
If a coach is found to be signaling, and the player gets a warning, should that warning be for a future coaching violation? In this case, it was for all behavior. She broke a racket and got a point penalty for racket abuse. OK, but she wasn't warned about racket abuse. Her warning came for a coaching violation. It's and apples and oranges confusing.
3
@David Breitkopf It's not confusing at all. It's not the type of code violation that matters, it's the number of code violations. The first violation results in a warning, the second results in a point penalty, and the third results in a game penalty. Ms. Williams knows the rules.
25
@David Breitkopf
She's been playing tennis for 2 decades. All penalties were announced.
6
@David Breitkopf
Players do not need a warning about racket abuse--it is an automatic code violation. And there was no doubt Serena really abused her racket; she smashed it and it broke. Ramos had no choice about that code violation.
7
Serena had a right to complain about the judge, period. However, in arguing so forcefully, I believe she lost her focus. In such a highly charged atmosphere I don't think you can or should focus on winning the Grand Slam and a Women's rights argument at the same time. I think if she has zoned in only on her game, she would have won!
3
I can't wait to watch Naomi Osaka play again. She was the epitome of class, humility, and quiet excellence. Serena Williams on the other hand projected her inability to match Osaka's play with an embarrassing spectacle and meltdown. She lost control and it was very unbecoming, not to speak of stealing the thunder from Osaka's brilliant win. It was also shocking and in bad form for the USTA President to preface the award to runner up Williams with 'While this is not the result we were looking for...' Just Wow! Hopefully, Osaka will focus only on her win and forgive the misguided action and cheers of so many on Saturday.
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@hlpearth Absolutely. His public statement was sound reason for dismissal in my opinion,
5
@hlpearth
In was appalled by the official presentation after the match. It seemed the Serena Williams cheer squad in the official party, were taken aback by Naomi Osaka daring to defeat the rightful champion. The remarks of the USTA President were deplorable.
When it came to presenting the winner’s trophy, it was almost like it was a burden on the presenter, to be giving the trophy to Naomi Osaka. Zero grace or respect shown to the winner.
A dreadful presentation that followed a truly bizarre tennis match, entirely due to the unsportsmanlike actions and words of Serena Williams, who could not accept her opponent played much better than she did.
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@hlpearth
Not only play again, but win several more times. It will be great if Williams can win a few more too.
Why is it that so many justify not applying a rule simply by claiming it’s usually ignored?
Isn’t part of our collective problem the reality that rules, like truths no longer matter??
12
@Daniel B The rule allows for discretion. This is a vast oversimplification of the type the so-called president would make.
6
Osaka was brilliant in the Keys match and this one, playing nearly unbeatable tennis. Her sweet shyness in her comments after the match were a delightful contrast to the killer we had just seen on the court. She is a very exciting addition to the professional tennis scene.
Serena was true to form -- in the earlier Clijsters and Stosur matches, she behaved like this, a loud-mouthed boor (seems to be an epidemic of that these days). The double-standard argument doesn't hold water -- check the statistics. The men have been cited more than the women for similar offenses. Ramos has been similarly strict about the rules with Nadal and Djokovic. He's a respected official and I can see why; he doesn't permit the players to bully him into not enforcing the rules. I was disappointed that the tournament officials excluded him from the trophy ceremony. While I can understand that they were trying to calm things down, he was absolutely in the right, in my opinion.
It's really too bad that Serena has not learned from the role model right in front of her nose -- her sister. Venus has been, in addition to being a great player herself, an example to others, the way she conducts herself. She is a credit to this great game, one of the great figures in its history, and someone I would like to see my grandchildren emulate. I cannot say the same of Serena.
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@Grandpa Serena has played hundreds of matches and over her long and storied career. She has more of a temper than her sister, true -- but that has been a discussed issue in only a handful of matches. I doubt most people could handle the scrutiny Serena has over the course of two decade in the form that she has. She is the greatest tennis champion of all time. And you don't get there from Compton without learning how to swallow a lot AND stand up for yourself.
In addition Serena is widely regarded among her peers -- the other tennis players -- as one of the most gracious and kind women on the tour. A reputation she has enjoyed for her entire two decade career.
Serena's complaint was not the men are never called on this rule -- but they would not be called on it when they have not even used an profanity and the conversation was started by the chair. It was the degree of behavior that caused the rule to be enfocred. Ramos should never be hired by the USTA again.
If you don't think Serena deals with sexism on the tour -- just check out the post match press conference where she was asked what her daughter would think of her behavior. Can you imagine anyone asking a male tennis player the same? No-- they wouldn't because men are allowed to be angry and no one ever asks them what their children would think.
I find it interesting that you use Venus as an example. I suspect it is to avoid the racism charge. I think we all know why.
3
Serena brought up her daughter while ‘talking’ with Ramos. So I think it was fair for reporters to ask about her daughter, if perhaps unkind. In fact it was probably not a great idea for Serena to sit for an interview afterwards. She could have afforded a fine for that violation. All refs make bad calls but it is up to the player to take into account how they are being judged. I will say that Serena had stopped talking and was walking away from Ramos when he called the last code violation. I wish he had shown just a little more restraint.
1
This campion of champions seemed unable to comprehend that the coaching violation was about that, coaching, not accepting coaching. True, it was not Serena's action or fault, but it violated the code. It did not matter that she is possibly the greatest ever woman player or that she is now a mother setting an example. Her later actions were, indeed, code violations and punishable. I do feel that the final game penalty was too harsh and inconsistent due to the lack of such penalties against male players. Osaka was clearly on the way to victory. If the court drama did not derail her, Serena's play was not likely to either. Osaka deserved better.
14
@Robert EdwardsAns Serena also deserves better. And, I am appalled by so many "veiled" racist comments regarding Serena, and so many about her poor "lady-like" behavior!
1
I Love Naomi Osaka! She is a beautiful woman and outstanding athlete who will only get better over the next 10 years. She will be the face of Women's tennis for a solid decade, and what a gracious, humble, and inspiring champion she will be. Her treatment on Saturday will only make her stronger. Her beautiful face, is the face of the future, as people of color will attain the majority of the world's population in the next 50 years.I think this is fantastic, and awe inspiring.This world needs saving, and I hope it's the people of color who do the saving. I'm with you! Also, it helps that Namoi was the fastest, best conditioned, and most graceful athlete on center court on Saturday, that was no fluke. The best athlete won a very difficult match. BRAVO!
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Naomi Osaka played a great match. She control Serena William power serve and ground stroke like no other players. Match Statistic shows Naomi out play Serena the whole match. In fact, she frustrates Serena the whole match, which led to Serena lost her composer and the whole episode.
Serena has a history of blame on others when she lost a match in a big tournament. She doesn't know how to lose it gracefully like other great players, such as Steffi Graf. Mrs. Gaff never used her 22 grand slam winner as entitlement to blame on others for her behavior or performance on the court. She dealt her lost and winners gracefully, unlike Serena who lost her composer and she blamed it on the umpire for being sexism.
Serena is right, she has a lot to learn from Naomi Osaka who handle this distraction like a legend.
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Serena & her team being unaware of the process of the warning --> point penalty --> game penalty is like Sharapova & her team being unaware of her "medication" being added to the banned substances list.
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@lmbrace
Correct but unlike Sharapova, Serena will serve no suspension and pay only pocket change in fines after an episode of unprofessionalism that must rank in the top 10 all time.
23
Well done, Naomi. Please stand proud, as you should.
Serena - and the spectators in the stadium - absolutely ruined what should have been a once-in-a-lifetime moment, well earned by Osaka. An underdog triumph over her idol, earned on the court. The only shame belongs to Serena, and the booing crowd. The crowd, perhaps more so.
I was a huge Serena fan when she was coming up. But her behavior as champion has been so abominable, especially toward the lines people and refs, but also her fellow competitors, that I just can't root for her any more, though I still respect her talent and work ethic. Professional victims leave me ice cold.
Playing the victim card all too often when you've been beaten fairly on the court is ugly, but it has become Serena's calling card. It's one big reason she has not done all she might in the endorsements game.
Naomi earned her victory between the lines. Serena deserved her loss fair and square. I only wish she demonstrated the sportsmanship, class and poise her sister Venus always shows.
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We'll never know if Osaka would have won since the umpire, ironically the "arbiter", gave the game to Osaka!. A women's finals is a best of three set proposition. Meaning that one of the players has to win TWO sets. Naomi played a great first set, but Serena and Naomi were toe-to-toe on the second set. The score was 4-3, with Serena set to serve, meaning it could have (and probably would have) been 4-4. Yet the umpire's call made it 5-3, changing the course of the game entirely. And the generosity of Serena, after being harassed by Ramos, asking the public not to boo in order that Osaka could enjoy her winning shows exactly the opposite behavior of the umpire. Personally, I believe this final Women US Open should be played again, otherwise, no one won it.
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@Maita Moto
Very under-reported, but Osaka clearly gave the penalty game back to Serena by not even trying in the very next game, to make it 5-4. All Serena then had to do was to get it together, break and tie at 5-5, which she could not do because she was over-matched on Saturday.
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@Maita MotoI
I think it was won by Osaka fairly, despite the bizarre drama that ensued.
Perhaps Ramos stuck too tightly to the letter of the tennis laws, but Serena's lack of self-control really doomed her.
Perhaps that was due to the unfair treatment she received in the past (who can forget that terrible line-call against her when she played Capriati? Hawk-Eye was instituted the very next year, not coincidentally).
And maybe Serena lost it because she was losing? I can't see her becoming so volatile had she been ahead in the match.
Serena saying that she was a victim of sexism was overblown too but it's a healthy conversation now and I hope gets more traction.
But I watched the match closely and noticed that after her coach gestured with his hands to approach the net more, Serena did so and started having success.
So I'm not convinced by some of the comments I have read.
10
@Mike "Osaka clearly gave the penalty game back to Serena by not even trying in the very next game". That's exactly what I thought as I watched that next game. But the last game was a different story ...
Thank you for this sane and clearheaded analysis, which Martina Navratilova also offered in her op-ed today. My heart breaks for Naomi Osaka, who will never experience the joy and and triumph that should have been hers at the end of the match. It was obvious from the very first game that she had an excellent chance of winning, and she went on to outplay, and outclass, Serena Williams. As a woman who has watched and played tennis all m life, I am aware of the inequities that women face in the game, and I have no doubt that Serena has experienced more than her share of gender and racial bias, unfortunately. That's no excuse, however, for immediately blaming the umpire's actions on sexism. In the light of day it seems the umpire has been equal opportunity in his strict interpretation of the rules. I agree that he should have taken a softer approach in such a high-stakes match but ultimately Serena's outbursts escalated the situation. My hope is that Namoi Osaka will not let this experience get to her but will move on and achieve her full potential as a player and a champion.
188
Sometimes losing is part of the game and no matter what, it is just part of the process. I would not want my child to watch a tennis game where the players are throwing rackets and temper tantrums. We see that a lot. That should be a big penalty in itself. It has to be accepted gracefully. Yes, Serena had a right to be angry and frustrated. We all do.There might have been many problems with the game but Naomi Osaka played an excellent match and she deserves to be the champion!
47
We all feel badly that Naomi Osaka's moment in the sun was overshadowed with this totally unnecessary umpire calls.
But let us not forget that Osaka, still won the trophy, the $ 3 1/2 Million check and is now hailed as a hero in Japan even though she has grown up in America since she was three years old. Ok, we can let that go.
But certainly no need to feel sorry for her.
Serena Williams entered her first tournament when she was four years old. In her 30+ years of competitive play, she has never, EVER been accused of "cheating".
So honestly... Osaka should be thanking Serena for paving the way for her in the future to stand up to and call out the unfair practice of treating the women players differently than men.
I cannot count the number of times I've watched men smash their racquets without any penalty or even a dour look from the umpire. Men have argued with umpires for years without penalty and have changed their shirts on court without rebuke.
Finally, WHO would believe that Serena Williams, who even Roger Federer calls the Greatest Athlete of All Time, needs coaching from the sidelines?
6
She didn't get a violation for cheating. She got a violation for coaching because her coach was in fact coaching. This is beyond dispute although she chose to disputed at the top of her lungs.
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@JerseyGirl
Interesting, I thought, that Martina suggested in her Op-Ed piece that it doesn't matter whether Serena was aware of 'being coached' or not. Irrelevant to the policy as currently written.
@JM
Yes Osaka should thank Serena and perhaps Serena, not always known previously for her graciousness, should thank some of her forebears.
After watching that first set I think Serena did need some coaching. Her movement and timing were off and her big serve let her down too often.
1
Williams may be 100% correct that the on-court behavior of women is treated more harshly than that of their male counterparts. However...
In any match, all that matters is that the officials offer fair and equal treatment to the competitors on both sides of the net. And in this particular match, Williams was not held to a higher standard than Osaka. Both players were treated equally in relation to each other.
It's especially unfortunate that the venue in which this match was played is named for Arthur Ashe, an athlete who always conducted his own protests for equality in the most dignified, unimpeachable, high-minded fashion. He proved himself both on and off the court to be the ultimate master of his inner self.
I'm a huge fan of Serena Williams, and she makes a valid point... but on Saturday she fell short of the bar Arthur Ashe set.
91
Thank you very much for this piece. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Serena Williams play over the years, her power, her intensity and her skill are immense.
However, her attitude is the same attitude I see in so many 20 and 30 something Americans, especially with money. "Do you know who I am?"
I own a number of apartments that I rent to 20 and 30 something women and we have a saying about them, they know how to do 2 things: 'They lie and they cry'. Williams knew she had lost a point. She knew it was her serve. This type of elite privilege is what has led to our president. He has gone through life never apologizing, never admitting to numerous lies, and basically trying to bully and intimidate people who are not on the same level.
I have had enough and will never buy a product from a company she endorses.
I will continue to admire the Japanese and the grace and respect in their culture for others. Congratulations to Osaka, a deserving champion.
156
I agree with almost all the comments about this issue. Yes, women have had to fight for equal pay for equal work, etc. And I'm sure there is still unfairness towards women. However, one thing still bothers me which doesn't get much press. Why do men have to suffer through the best of five sets when women only need two out of three? Is this equal work? They do get equal pay now in the grand slams. Five sets has proven to be detrimental to the health of many players as the combination of multiple 5 setters and hot, humid weather has shown. To me, this is not equal pay for equal work.
33
Many of us agree men's matches should be three sets. Five sets usually gets very boring.
1
Yes, it is so sad that this has been all about Williams. People in their discussion don't even mention Ms Osaka. I think that Williams is an extraordinarily athlete but here she missed the mark. Big congrats to Ms Osaka. What an achievement!
87
@Janusz I am sorry, we don't, we will never know if it was an "achievement" since the umpire gave Ms Osaka the game by harassing Serena all the way, the entire game. Of course, Serena shouldn't have opened her mouth, shouldn't have complained! How did she dared! Ladies accept penalties without any further discussion!
1
Naomi Osaka demonstrated grace, humanity and the art of being a sports champion.
Serena Williams demonstrated disgrace, egomania and the worst behavior seen on a tennis court in ages.
Congratulations to Naomi Osaka, US Open Champion.
Serena owes the tennis world and Naomi Osaka a public apology and needs to attend anger management class and start acting like an adult.
479
I think the fans in the stands got an easy pass and I am not inclined to let them off, not for a minute.
There is no question that Serena Williams is perhaps the greatest tennis player of all time and certainly one of the greatest athletes in the world. Coming back from pregnancy, a Caesarean section, and life threatening post birth complications has been a heroic feat beyond what most of us can imagine. I love to watch Serena play, admire her, and am sorry that this controversy unfolded in the final. I think she is an incredible role model.
And yet my heart broke when the fans booed. Here, we have a young woman who was inspired to greatness by Serena Williams. And in the end, she outplayed her in this match and totally deserved to win.
How could anyone who loves the game and loves Serena have booed? Naomi should have had that stadium on its feat roaring for her once she won. She is the next generation and she is walking in Serena's footsteps. Who knows if she will prove to be as great as Serena, but to be inspired by Serena and then booed by her fans seemed cruel to me. I was glad to see Serena comfort her but tennis fans were awfully heartless to a 20 year old who deserved their cheers.
322
@NJLatelifemom WHO told the crowd stop booing? No other than Serena who just lost the game at the hand of Mr. Ramos!
1
@NJLatelifemom I totally agree with the article, but agree even more so with you, NJLatelifemom---the crowd should not have gotten off with so little criticism. They were the main source of the unpleasantness that overwhelmed everything else. Naomi deserved a lot of credit, dominated the match, and heard only boos. The fans should have had more sense than that, plus more honesty and civility. In my opinion, these fans had less excuse for their behavior than anyone else, and I was angry and ashamed to see how they acted.
4
@NJLatelifemom Couldn’t agree more with you. I think this is just one more symptom of the fact that the crowd at the US Open tends to behave as bad as it gets in tennis, no less because they can, because it is even somewhat expected of them as behavioral rules that apply elsewhere just are not enforced there. I was lucky enough to be there for the men’s final ten years ago and just couldn’t believe the extent to which people behaved like they were in a baseball or soccer stadium.
3
Not a fan of Serena or her behavior, at times , but as someone who has actually played pro tennis, Ramos’s coaching call was a massive fail. It's never called. And in the middle of a major final? This was the original sin of the problems in the match. Neither Ramos or Williams covered themselves with glory here, but this was mostly on Ramos. Btw, most of those beating on Williams seem to be 1) white and 2) male, it's really not a good look, and makes the point that race and gender still matter
12
@Rickibobbi
Serena's protestations appeared to be bad sportsmanship and certainly injured Naomi forever. On the other hand, when was Serena supposed to make the point, if not right in the face of ref's abuse? Complaining about it later would not have had the same impact. But it would have been a start, and Naomi and her fans could have enjoyed her well-earned victory.
@Rickibobbi
Very interesting points!
I'm being sincere when I ask when/if should refs become stricter while doing their jobs? Stricter in the sense of following the rules.
And shouldn't a major final be the time to follow the rules instead of going lenient? Should they be lenient all the time and if so, does consistency matter?
I do think if Ramos had given Serena a warning instead of penalizing her, the situation would not have imploded like it did.
I guess a ref has to manage egos as well as other essentials.
I'm curious what you think of the top players possibly using their status to intimidate or neutralize a ref?
I've watched many Nadal/Djokovic matches where the players took plenty of time serving and wiping the sweat off themselves continually (ie every point). I pity the ref who has to call them on it (in fact Carlos Ramos has in the case of the tic-laden slow-to-serve Nadal).
I think that if Serena showed more self-control, basked in her great achievements, fought for women's rights off the court, acted like a leader and not a victim, well, nobody would be beating on her as you say.
1
Uh, really?. Stating a preference for the behavior of the Asian female to that of the African-American female makes white guys look bad? I hated McEnroe's antics as well. And what make me cringe the most is not the skin color or gender of the offenders, it's that I feel embarassed to see this kind of behavior from a fellow American on an international stage. That's about culture, not race or gender.
19
When it comes to team sports, I'm a baseball guy. If a player, coach or manager gets kicked out of a game by an umpire, so be it; I'd laugh when Billy Martin would kick dirt on an umpire's shoe, when Earl Weaver turned his cap backwards to get into an ump's face or when Lou Pinella pulled a base from its moorings. I never stopped rooting for the team. (Note: I NEVER rooted for the Orioles.)
I'm a huge tennis fan and for nearly 20 years, Serena Williams has been - as had Mantle, Mays, Clemente, etc - a subject of my athletic love. Although I thought she went overboard on Saturday, when the dust cleared, I was still rooting for her.
From that first volley through all the tennis, fighting with the umpire and discussion with the referee, Serena was always my non-gender specific guy. But, by the middle of the first set, it started sinking in that no one would have beaten Osaka that day.
She played championship tennis as it should be played..like a champion. In the end, everything else pales in comparison. And, when Serena calls it a career, six-two-and even I know to whom my tennis love will go.
9
Thank you for this honest and accurate piece. My anger at Serena Wiiliams for spoiling this match, is matched by my admiration for the poise and dignity with which Naomi Osaka handled the moment, which was so unjustly stolen from her. The ascendancy of this humble next-generation champion, and it's attendant eclipsing of her less-than-honorable idol, cannot come soon enough.
271
A 20-year old. Competing head-to-head against their career icon. Live and in front of The World. In what is essentially a theater. At the end of two competitive weeks most of which was hot and humid. Essential viewing (and contemplation) for anyone interested in perseverance, commitment and excellence.
42
Had Ramos or Williams handled themselves to reflect the decades of experience both have had, it might have been a longer match - maybe even a classic to remember. That said, Ms. Osaka showed no reason to doubt the final result would still not be same. Her EQ and her focus are exemplary - as beautiful as her shots.
64
There may be something to the notion that tennis has greater tolerance for bad behavior among men as opposed to women players. That having been said, there is no question that each penalty assessed to Williams was justified under existing rules. If there is a silver lining to all this, it's the conduct of the 20 year old Osaka, whose courtesy and grace under pressure showed who the real adult in the room was. Williams, Billie Jean King, and all those in attendance at that sad affair should take note.
206
Whether you win or lose it is all about composure and professional sportsmanship. Naomi Osaka is a complete winner; she made it all about strategy, athleticism and ultimately, the best tennis game of her life. Her egocentric opponent made it all about herself.
324
I know what you’re getting at but must ask: Just what IS “professional sportsmanship”?
The last time I checked professional athletes were getting paid primarily to win...and to win in a take no prisoners manner. While in the midst of putting out the herculean effort to win at this level...to maintain that Vince Lombardi “winning IS everything” mindset emotions can go off the rails in the moment.
This wasn’t a country club tournament and no one gets paid to be sportsmanlike.
We should all strive to emulate Naomi Osaka's grace and poise.
383
I’m gonna start RIGHT NOW!
2