Umpires Considering Boycott of Serena Williams

Serena Williams After Losing 2018 US Open Finals to Naomi Osaka, Accuses Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos of Sexism, Calls Him Thief!

“The umpiring fraternity is thoroughly disturbed at being abandoned by the WTA”, retired Gold Badge umpire Richard Ings said, according to ESPN’s Peter Bodo.

Carlos Ramos, the umpire at the center of the storm surrounding Serena Williams at the U.S. Open, was “thrown under a bus” by tennis’ governing bodies, says a former top-level umpire.

Williams was cited by Ramos for getting coaching signals; for breaking her racket, which automatically cost her a point because it was her second code violation of the match; and for calling Ramos a “thief,” which cost her a game because it was her third code violation.

Umpires are reportedly considering a boycott of future Serena Williams tennis matches, according to an anonymous source in The Times.

“The point is he (Ramos) aggravated the situation, instead of “I’m not attacking your character” which is the most important thing he could have said”.

After the match, Twitter users and tennis commentators alike said the penalties assessed to Williams were excessively harsh, and some said they may have reflected sexism and racism in tennis officiating.

The Times of London reports that officials are not only talking about boycotting the tennis star’s matches, but they’re also looking into forming a union.

What was supposed to be a fairy-tale matchup for Japan’s Naomi Osaka and the player she idolizes spun out of control Saturday after Williams was handed code violations that she described as unfair.

This previous weekend, the finals for the U.S. Open erupted in controversy and calls of racism.

Williams was given a code violation warning during the final on September 8 when the umpire ruled that she was getting hand signals from her coach in the stands.

“Carlos Ramos is one of the most experienced and respected umpires in tennis”.

Osaka had been composed on the court but became clearly emotional after winning, and pulled her visor over her face as Williams put a comforting arm around her.

Williams, 36, suffered defeat to 20-year-old Osaka in NY on Saturday night, handing the Japanese player her first Grand Slam title.

The WTA validated Williams’ complaint that the penalties were sexist and would not have been initiated if Williams were a man. USTA President Katrina Adams said there was “no equality”.

He is still set to officiate a Davis Cup match this Friday between the U.S. and Croatia.