Serena Williams tantrum could lead chair umpires to boycott her matches at the Aus Open
WAS Carlos Ramos ‘thrown to the wolves’ over the Serena Williams US Open final saga? Reports suggest some of his umpiring colleagues could refuse to officiate the American’s matches until she apologises for her rant.
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THE fallout from Serena Williams’ US Open tantrum could spread to January’s Australian Open amid claims some umpires will boycott the American’s matches unless she apologises for her rant against Carlos Ramos.
The Times cited an “anonymous official” who said Ramos “had been thrown to the wolves” for repeatedly penalising furious Williams during the women’s singles final on Sunday.
The newspaper claimed umpires were upset by the lack of support for Ramos, citing critical comments towards the respected Portuguese official from the US Tennis Association and the Women’s Tennis Association.
Tennis Australia is yet to respond to the reported threats as Billie Jean King renewed her attack on Ramos – while belatedly acknowledging sulking Williams was at fault.
“Serena was out of line, there’s no question,” King told CNN.
“No one was saying she was a good sport. If they are, they’re crazy. She was totally out of line, she knows it.
“The point is he (Ramos) aggravated the situation…I felt like he blew it. First of all as an umpire you’re supposed to keep the flow of the match going and he did just the opposite.
“All he had to say to Serena is ‘I am not attacking your character.’
“Character is the essence of what was going on there, she was so upset about that, those kids (Serena and Venus) have been brought up to play by the rules.
“The character was the biggest issue here, this is a human being you’re talking to. If he (Ramos) had said I’m not attacking your character, everything would have been different.”
King’s assessment of Ramos and claims of sexism were blasted by Croat veteran Ivo Karlovic.
“How about Fognini (a male) was disqualified from US open just last year,” Karlovic tweeted. “That’s a repercussion. Bad behavior is bad behavior. No matter who it is.”
Williams claimed male players get away with more on court in the way they speak to officials.
But men received almost double the number of fines – 85-43 - at the four grand slam tournaments in 2018 than women.
Williams, 37, was fined a total of $US17,000 for coaching, racquet abuse and verbal abuse.
The International Tennis Federation has backed Ramos’ performance.
Ramos, who was ushered away from the US Open trophy presentation without receiving the traditional umpires’ trophy, returns to duty in Davis Cup on Friday.
Speaking to Portuguese media, Ramos said: “I’m fine, given the circumstances. It’s a delicate situation, but ‘à la carte’ arbitration does not exist. Do not worry about me.”
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