US Open Women’s Final: World reacts to fiery finals clash

THERE were fiery scenes at the US Open today as Serena Williams defended herself against cheating. But does every one agree with her?

AS SERENA Williams fought back tears on the court of the US Open, the world watched with awe over the drama that was unfolding before them.

It didn’t start well for Williams, frustration clearly on her face.

She smashed her racket and was given a code violation warning for that behaviour.

Then, after she was accused of cheating by the umpire, things took a twisted turn. Tears and tantrums filled Flushing Meadows as Naomi Osaka kicked off her debut US Open beating the 23-time grand slam champion in the first set 6-2.

Osaka is now the first Japanese player to win a U.S. Open Grand Slam singles championship.

“History will be made no matter who won,” commentator Chris Fowler said.

But now, the world is in disagreement over the entire situation that unfolded.

“Hypocrisy, blatant sexism,” said some. Others said she was “embarrassing” and “ridiculous” behaviour.

"You owe me an apology...you stole a point from me..that's not right." Serena has HAD IT with this umpire. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7yqwoL6eRg

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 8, 2018

Serena Williams: "There's a lot of men out here that have said a lot of things and because they're a man, that doesn't happen to them." (via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/eNkKuJyvGJ

— Ivory Sh (@IvoryShuma) September 8, 2018

Williams was given a penalty by the chair umpire after he believed she received coaching advice from the front row.

Her coach, Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, gestured to her after she won the first game of the second set.

After a fiery exchange with the umpire, she was penalised a game for “verbal abuse”.

“Because I’m a woman you’re going to take this away from me.

“You know how many other men do things...there are a lot of men who say a lot things, and because they are men, nothing happens to them...”

After accepting her loss, Williams walked off the court, shook Osaka’s hand and said to the umpire: “I want an apology”. She had previously called him a “liar”.

But it seems not everyone was as supportive, with some critics, including Times tennis correspondent Stuart Fraser calling her behaviour “ridiculous”.

Ridiculous behaviour here from Serena Williams, angrily pointing her finger and demanding an apology from umpire Carlos Ramos, who is merely doing his job #USOpen

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) September 8, 2018

Embarrassing from Serena and unfair on her young opponent. 3-5 down in the second now.

— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) September 8, 2018

So let me get this straight... Serena Williams breaks her racket, calls the (moronic) umpire a "thief," gets over penalized, throws a massive temper tantrum, loses, & now she's the HERO (according to ESPN) because she told the crowd not to boo anymore?!

My God, I hate our media

— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) September 8, 2018

Really confused how Serena Williams spun her outburst penalties into a women’s rights issue. Can you imagine, for example, Odell Beckham Jr. creating a social justice excuse for punching a wall last year & the press APPLAUDING him after? Would never happen.

— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) September 8, 2018

Standing on the podium after the match, Williams thanked the crowd and asked everyone to stop booing.

“I don’t want to be rude, I don’t want to do questions. I just want to say (Osaka) played well and this is her first grand slam,” Williams said. “Congratulations Naomi.”

.@serenawilliams instructs crowd to stop booing and celebrate @Naomi_Osaka_'s moment of winning her first grand slam. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/LOAyB42OmQ

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) September 8, 2018

In scenes as emotional as the game itself, Osaka said she was “sorry it had to end like this”.

“I just wanted to say thank you for watching the match,” the teary champ said.

The event has led to widespread discussion over Serena’s antics on court, raising a variety of issues including gender equality and the racial divide.

I can’t think of another pro sport in which officials treat arguably the greatest player ever like @serenawilliams was treated today.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) September 8, 2018

After a controversial penalty against @serenawilliams at the #USOpen2018, she showed how to be a real sport, a total class act and a great champion.

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) September 8, 2018

I'm with Serena. "You owe me an apology" should be the next Nike ad. This is our message to the world. #UsOpen

— deray (@deray) September 8, 2018

This #SerenaWilliams match is going to be a big story. She was penalized a point and then a full game! She made point men do much worse and are not penalized at all and she is right.

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) September 8, 2018

This moment at this time speaks to so many of us #serena @serenawilliams Thank you for standing up!! We love you even more

— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) September 8, 2018

They’re trying hard to take this away from @serenawilliams 🤦🏾‍♀️ Keep pushing girl! What God has for you is for you! #USOpen

— Monique Samuels (@iammrssamuels) September 8, 2018

Wow. This is bullshit. Good for Serena standing up for herself. There is always some nonsense at this tournament.

— roxane gay (@rgay) September 8, 2018

This is an astonishing sporting moment for Serena Williams who is beside herself. "Because I am a woman you are going to take this away from me"

— roger bennett (@rogbennett) September 8, 2018