Serena Williams: we know who the real victim is here

Serena Williams (right) looks at US Open champion Naomi Osaka as she covers her face during the trophy presentation. Photo: Mega

In terms of who benefits and who suffers detriment through allegations of racism and sexism, professional tennis is like any other Western institution these days. It is a case of ‘Advantage server’. As Serena Williams demonstrated last weekend at the US Open when she chucked a humungous hissy fit, a minority player called out for bad behaviour can simply counter this by invoking identity politics.

The tactics Williams displayed towards Portuguese umpire Carlos Ramos when he cited her for courtside coaching are an obvious case of the narcissist’s cunning manipulation. Before it escalated, it began with the charm offensive. “I understand why you thought that was coaching but I’m telling you it’s not”; the ‘I’m the real victim here’ tactic “I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right for her and I never cheated. You owe me an apology”; and ultimately outright abuse and intimidation — “You will never ever ever be on another court of mine as long as you live … You are the liar … You stole a point from me … You’re a thief too …”.

Serena Williams argues with umpire Carlos Ramos during the US Open women’s final. Photo: Getty Images

At the post-match media conference, Williams — as is typical of the high profile minority bully when called out — attempted to justify her behaviour by claiming she was taking a stand against oppression.

Serena Williams makes her point. Photo: Getty Images

“I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff,” she claimed. In reality, her behaviour had stuff all to do with sexism and everything to do with Serena. From the moment Williams smashed her racquet it was clear she realised her brilliant 20-year-old Japanese opponent, Naomi Osaka, had her measure.

Almost forgotten in this brouhaha are the unlawful actions of Williams’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who admitted after the match he was “100 per cent coaching”. What do you think are the chances of Williams apologising to Ramos or at the very least acknowledging his sanctioning was consistent with the rules? Very little. Williams had utilised a crude but effective high dudgeon tactic in claiming Ramos had accused her of “cheating”. He did no such thing. As the rules stipulate, players bear responsibility for the conduct of their parties, including their coaches, hence Williams had to wear the violation. She herself later conceded there had been no “history” of tension with Ramos. “No not at all,” she said. “He’s always been a great umpire.”

Unfortunately for Williams’s credibility, she has a history of bad behaviour. Let’s take it back a few years to 2011. “Another US Open has come and gone, and had its finish hijacked by Serena Williams and her anger and entitlement,” wrote New York Daily News sportswriter Wayne Coffey, “and abject refusal ever to own any of her behaviour.” Sound familiar?

On that occasion Williams was facing Australian Samantha Stosur in the women’s final. Having witnessed Williams breach the hindrance rule by crying out after she struck the ball, Greek umpire Eva Asderaki awarded Stosur the point. “Are you the one who screwed me over last time?” asked a petulant Williams. But that was nothing compared to her outburst towards Asderaki during the changeover:

Serena Williams challenges chair umpire Eva Asderaki during her US Open women’s singles final loss to Australia’s Sam Stosur in 2011. Photo: AP

“You ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way. Because you’re out of control — totally out of control. You’re a hater and you’re unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain.” How many irony fairies died when she claimed that one can only guess.

“Wow. What a loser. You give a code violation because I expressed who I am? We’re in America last I checked … don’t look at me, I promise you don’t look at me cause I am not the one. Don’t look my way.” She later avoided shaking hands with the umpire post-match. When asked the same day if she regretted her behaviour, she said “I don’t even remember what I said.” How convenient.

In 2009, during her semi-final appearance at the US Open against Belgian Kim Clijsters, Williams bullied a Japanese lineswoman, Shino Tsurubuchi, over calling a foot fault against her. Towering over the diminutive Tsurubuchi and pointing her fingers and waving the racket menacingly in her face, Williams was particularly obnoxious. “If I could, I would take this f … ing ball and shove it down your f … ing throat and kill you,’’ she said.

So, Next time @serenawilliams threatens to shove a tennis ball down the throat of a poor ASIAN LinesWOMAN or abuses a FEMALE Umpire as loser n unattractive, please give her a Medal.👏 High time, Abusive Bad behavior is called out for wat it is. Irrespective of gender or race 😏 pic.twitter.com/iM8FAlYfmt

— Maya (@IamMayaSharma) September 12, 2018

Earlier that year during the French Open she threatened her Spanish opponent, María José Martínez Sánchez. “I’m going to get you in the locker room for that; you don’t know me,” she said during the match, unaware there were microphones on court. These examples show Williams is genuine about fighting for equality. She will abuse, hector and berate anyone to get her way, regardless of their gender or ethnicity. She is an equal opportunity bully.

Little wonder umpires are considering boycotting any game involving Williams until she apologises for vilifying Ramos, whose rulings in the match have been supported by the International Tennis Federation. That said, an apology would mean little. Days after her disgraceful behaviour towards Tsurubuchi, Williams apologised and said “I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result.” Her record in the subsequent nine years gives you a good indication about the value of her word.

Despite her appalling behaviour Williams can rely on feminist commentators to insist her sanction was solely due to sexism, regardless of the fact that this discrimination default is tediously repetitious. Appearing on The Drum this week, Shivani Gopal — who according to her Twitter bio is an expert in “gender diversity” — immediately seized on sexism.

“I saw sexism, absolutely I did. It was sexism at play and it was bias because you had Ramos saying, "I've got this woman being incredibly assertive with me. That's not something I'm going to accept.” @ShivaniGopal1 on Serena Williams #TheDrum pic.twitter.com/zaPqm5Bc6a

— ABC The Drum (@ABCthedrum) September 10, 2018

“It was bias at play because you had Ramos sort of saying ‘Hang on a second you’ve got this woman being incredibly assertive with me — that’s not something I’m going to accept — there’s your violation immediately’,” she said. There is no basis for this claim, and the fact Gopal resorted to poetic licence to bolster it illustrates the weakness of her assertion. She even criticised Ramos on the basis that “His role is to de-escalate the situation.” That is false. His job is to enforce the rules irrespective of whether a player might react like a prima donna. In effect Gopal argues that an umpire should acquiesce for fear of a player’s capricious behaviour, which would be abrogation.

“Black women are not supposed to push back and when they do, they’re deemed to be domineering,” said American law professor Trina Jones in support of Williams. “Aggressive. Threatening. Loud.” You might retort that white umpires are not supposed to push back when minority players behave badly, else they be deemed to be domineering or worse, racist. If the rules against coaching are archaic, as many argue, then the remedy is not to attack the umpire, but to lobby for reform. In the meantime, quiet please.

Williams should reflect on her remarks of 2009 when she demonstrated a rare example of introspection. “I’m like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama, and everyone in the house hates them because no matter what they do, like, drama follows them,” she said. “I don’t want to be that girl.” Nothing has changed. As USA Today sportswriter Chris Chase aptly observed this week: “Serena ruined Osaka’s moment with her antics, the same way she did to Kim Clijsters and Sam Stosur years before … Even in defeat, Serena Williams always makes it about Serena Williams.”

Cartoonist Mark Knight at his studio with his Serena Williams cartoon in the background. Photo: David Geraghty

And to think that Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight this week had to suspend his Twitter account due to abuse towards his family, all because he accurately depicted a childish Williams in a fit of pique as she smashed her racquet. To claim this cartoon is racist is to make a determination based solely on the volume of those making the accusation. It ignores the lucrative interest many accusers have in perpetuating the victimhood narrative.

What a far better game sport would be if we could smash the identity politics racket.