Serena Williams gets backing in US Open sexism row by WTA chief Steve Simon after loss to Naomi Osaka
Steve Simon agrees with ‘double standards’ argument that umpire Carlos Ramos did not treat women’s finalists in same way he would have done men
PUBLISHED : Monday, 10 September, 2018, 9:30am
UPDATED : Monday, 10 September, 2018, 10:54pm
Related topics
WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon on Sunday backed Serena Williams’ claim that sexism played a role in the code violations that sparked her US Open final meltdown.
Williams was handed three code violations – and docked a point and then a game – in her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Flushing Meadows final
Osaka outplayed her childhood hero to become the first Japanese player to win a grand slam, but her accomplishment was swamped in the controversy surrounding 23-time grand slam champion Williams.
The American superstar claimed chair umpire Carlos Ramos meted out penalties for infractions that male players could have got away with.
“Yesterday also brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches,” Simon said in a statement.
“The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same.
“We do not believe that this was done last night.”
Williams was most incensed by the first code violation she received – for coaching from her box.
It’s not clear if she even saw the hand gestures by coach Patrick Mouratoglou sitting in her box, and Simon said the sport as a whole should examine the rules on coaching.
“We also think the issue of coaching needs to be addressed and should be allowed across the sport,” he said.
“The WTA supports coaching through its on-court coaching rule, but further review is needed.
“Yesterday’s match showcased one of tennis’ new stars as well as one of the greatest players of the game,” Simon concluded.
“We look forward to more thrilling matches between these great athletes and hope that what we all witnessed yesterday never happens again.”
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: WTA chief decries double standards
Most Popular
Viewed
- 1
![After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents]( "After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents")
- 2
![A flight information board at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. Photo: Dickson Lee]( "A flight information board at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. Photo: Dickson Lee")
- 3
![New second officers will continue to get HK$538,000 and first officers HK$825,000 in annual basic pay, more than what rival Singapore Airlines pays. Photo: Reuters]( "New second officers will continue to get HK$538,000 and first officers HK$825,000 in annual basic pay, more than what rival Singapore Airlines pays. Photo: Reuters")
- 4
![Casey Kiihfuss with her husband and children (from left) Addison, Reed and Kenzie are scrambling for another place to berth their houseboat. Photo: Sam Tsang]( "Casey Kiihfuss with her husband and children (from left) Addison, Reed and Kenzie are scrambling for another place to berth their houseboat. Photo: Sam Tsang")
- 5
![Upmarket district’s juxtaposition of swanky offices and struggling drug addicts tells the story of city’s growing wealth gap]( "Upmarket district’s juxtaposition of swanky offices and struggling drug addicts tells the story of city’s growing wealth gap")
Shared
- 1
![After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents]( "After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents")
- 2
![New second officers will continue to get HK$538,000 and first officers HK$825,000 in annual basic pay, more than what rival Singapore Airlines pays. Photo: Reuters]( "New second officers will continue to get HK$538,000 and first officers HK$825,000 in annual basic pay, more than what rival Singapore Airlines pays. Photo: Reuters")
- 3
![A flight information board at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. Photo: Dickson Lee]( "A flight information board at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. Photo: Dickson Lee")
- 4
![Casey Kiihfuss with her husband and children (from left) Addison, Reed and Kenzie are scrambling for another place to berth their houseboat. Photo: Sam Tsang]( "Casey Kiihfuss with her husband and children (from left) Addison, Reed and Kenzie are scrambling for another place to berth their houseboat. Photo: Sam Tsang")
- 5
![Liveaboard families ‘face a crisis’ after Discovery Bay Marina Club tells them they have four months to relocate their boats]( "Liveaboard families ‘face a crisis’ after Discovery Bay Marina Club tells them they have four months to relocate their boats")
Commented
- 1
![A new form of Sinophobia or anti-Chinese sentiment is emerging in Australia, according to Jieh-Yung Lo. Photo: Alamy]( "A new form of Sinophobia or anti-Chinese sentiment is emerging in Australia, according to Jieh-Yung Lo. Photo: Alamy")
- 2
![After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents]( "After one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the city, suspensions and delays mean confusion and long waits for residents")
- 3
![President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China's president, in Beijing last year. Photo: Bloomberg.]( "President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China's president, in Beijing last year. Photo: Bloomberg.")
- 4
![No 8 warning signal downgraded to No 3 on Monday morning as monster storm no longer a threat to city]( "No 8 warning signal downgraded to No 3 on Monday morning as monster storm no longer a threat to city")
- 5
![They’re coming from different angles, but American leaders are beginning to sound a lot like China’s when warning of the dangers of an untamed, unregulated internet]( "They’re coming from different angles, but American leaders are beginning to sound a lot like China’s when warning of the dangers of an untamed, unregulated internet")
You may also like
How you can protect your smart devices from cyberattack
In partnership with: HKT PREMIER
The Role of Philanthropy in Building a Sustainable City
Brought to you by: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Comments: