NEW YORK -- What was supposed to be a scintillating women's final at the US Open devolved into a match marred with controversy.
Serena Williams, in a straight-sets loss to Naomi Osaka in the US Open final, was handed code violations: first a warning for coaching, then a point penalty for smashing her racket and finally a game penalty for verbal abuse. Was it fair?
Tennis players, former and present, experts and even Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, weighed in on the chair umpire's decisions:
The star of the show has been once again the chair umpire. Second time in this US Open and third time for Serena in a US Open Final. Should they be allowed have an influence on the result of a match ? When do we decide that this should never happen again ?
- PMo (@pmouratoglou) September 8, 2018
Emotional first take by me. common sense should've prevailed in my opinion. He's within his power to make that call. I've seen an umpire borderline coach a player up,and another dock a game for being called a thief in same tourney. There needs to be some continuity in the future https://t.co/T5oI1M0Cu7
- andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 8, 2018
I will admit I have said worse and not gotten penalized. And I've also been given a "soft warning" by the ump where they tell you knock it off or I will have to give you a violation. He should have at least given her that courtesy. Sad to mar a well played final that way. https://t.co/xhBzFZX8Wq
- James Blake (@JRBlake) September 9, 2018
If it was men's match, this wouldn't happen like this.
It just wouldn't- victoria azarenka (@vika7) September 8, 2018
This is bs
- victoria azarenka (@vika7) September 8, 2018
(1/2) Several things went very wrong during the @usopen Women's Finals today. Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis. It isn't, and as a result, a player was penalized for the actions of her coach. This should not happen.
- Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
(2/2) When a woman is emotional, she's "hysterical" and she's penalized for it. When a man does the same, he's "outspoken" & and there are no repercussions. Thank you, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same.
- Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 9, 2018
Chrissy Evert: "Every coach coaches, the hand signals...You need to readdress the rule. She broke her racquet, warning for sure. But third time, calling umpire a thief, while we hear mostly men say four letter words, I don't think that warranted a game." #USOpen
- Kelyn Soong (@KelynSoong) September 8, 2018
Japan's prime minister, Shinzō Abe:
#proud ���� https://t.co/hBSVu1LBJI
- Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) September 8, 2018
Thank you @serenawilliams total class at the speech and you truly are the goat.
- sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) September 8, 2018
What a performance by Osaka!! So strong and composed ������ and what a Champion Serena is! #USOpen
- Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) September 8, 2018
CONGRATS @Naomi_Osaka_ !!!! You played GREAT!! ������������ @usopen
- Donna Vekic (@DonnaVekic) September 8, 2018
Happy for you @Naomi_Osaka_!!! ✌️�������� https://t.co/JMahALc2uN
- Hyeon Chung (@HyeonChung) September 8, 2018
When you think you've seen it all in tennis.. you have not. Truly unfortunate that the umpire got involved far too much. Restraint called for. So a wonderful performance by @Naomi_Osaka_ was partly spoiled. She was wrongly gifted a game, but earned the title. A huge new star.
- Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) September 8, 2018
Here at the @usopen & crowd is stunned. No doubt @Naomi_Osaka_ played tremendous match BUT...at center court right now @serenawilliams is consoling her due to crowd's reaction. Not quite the historic moment many anticipated but will certainly be remembered. Congrats to #Naomi����
- Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) September 8, 2018
I have heard with my own ears Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and plenty of lesser known players say far worse than "thief" on the court with far lesser comsequences. #USOpen
- Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) September 8, 2018