No, Serena the only thief here is you

Naomi Osaka’s US Open victory has been overshadowed by Serena Williams behaving like a child.

The great news in world sport today is that Naomi Osaka has become the first Japanese player to win a grand slam tennis title. The bad news: nobody noticed.

We’re all completely consumed by the petulant meltdown of Osaka’s opponent Serena Williams, who imploded as her attempt to win a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title collapsed around her ears. Rather than the fact that Osaka was in complete control of the match from the get-go and won 6-2 6-4.

Williams received three code violations and was docked an entire game after receiving instructions from her coach during the game and then calling the umpire “thief”.

If anyone is a thief it is Williams, for stealing the limelight from Osaka, a great young player with a bright future ahead of her.

Osaka was shamefully booed by the parochial New York crowd at the end of the match and instead of celebrating her victory she was in tears.

“I know everyone was cheering for her and I am sorry it had to end like this,” Osaka said. “It was always my dream to play Serena Williams in the US Open finals, so I am really glad I was able to do that. I am really grateful I could play with you.”

The truth is, of course, that Serena was receiving instructions from her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, in contravention of grand slam regulations. He admitted it.

She clearly did call umpire Carlos Ramos a thief, which cannot go unpunished. In fact she was guilty of the sort of childish tantrum a toddler would be sent to her room for.

“I have never cheated in my life,” she fumed. “I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right for her. I’ve never cheated, and you owe me an apology.

“You will never be on another court of mine as long as you live. Say it. Say you’re sorry.”

Naomi Osaka won fair and square.

I reckon there’s a good chance she stamped her foot at some stage. Oh, and she smashed her racquet, earning a second code violation and a one-point deduction.

Mouratoglou admitted afterwards that he had been giving Williams instructions, but then tried excuse it by says Osaka’s coach was doing the same thing. As my mum used to say, two wrongs don’t make a right.

But the important thing to take from this match is this: Naomi Osaka, at just 20, is a great young player who won the match fair and square. She showed genuine grit and determination – and, for a player at the beginning of her career, incredible maturity. And, of course, it’s not her first victory over Williams – she beat her back in March.

We should be celebrating her moment of glory rather than focusing, yet again, on a Serena tantrum.