tennis

Arguing, booing overshadow Osaka's U.S. Open final win over Williams

42 Comments
By HOWARD FENDRICH

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42 Comments
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I’m American and I’m embarrassed by the poor sportsmanship and disingenuous emotional manipulation shown by Serena Williams and her supporters. I think she should be suspended until she apologizes.

24 ( +26 / -2 )

It is a disgrace how Osaka was treated. That was her big day, not Williams’.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Terrible behaviour during a Grand Slam Final! The Grand Slam committee as well as the WTA should take some serious action against Serena, not a pat on the wrist with a mere fine. Serena has done this quite often, but calling the Umpire a "thief" and a "liar" is a bridge too far. She has crossed a red-line. Suspend her for the next FOUR Grand Slams, and perhaps she may change her horrible personality.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Its an embarrassment on Americans instead of supporting the best player on the day, Osaka was ahead in both sets.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Osaka was the class act here. I don't have enough words to describe Williams' behaviour: bullying, dishonest, selfish, entitled, immature, graceless.... Unfortunately, these days, people who abuse others often see themselves as victims. I thought the crowd were booing because Williams was behaving so badly, but it turns out it was the opposite! I was also very disappointed that one of the officials at the presentation afterwards started her speech by saying something like, 'Well, it wasn't the ending we all hoped for ', as if a great injustice had been done, and focused most of the time on Williams.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

What was really shameful was at the press conference afterwards when Serena said she was acting like that in order to be a strong woman. That hurts all women who, unlike Serena, act with integrity and honesty.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

I'm not quite sure what "coaching" means here. Was her coach telling Serena what to do (the signals)?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 I stood up for what was right

Nonsense. You had a brain meltdown on the big stage.

You should reflect on your poor behavior, stop making excuses about old history and accusations of sexism, and teach your cute daughter to act more respectfully than you did yesterday.

Serena will surely come around after a good nights sleep. She ain’t a bad egg, but she was surely wanting to win badly, and lost her nut.

Nice work Naomi! Hope she can enjoy her next tournament win a lot more joyfully.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

What was really shameful was at the press conference afterwards when Serena said she was acting like that in order to be a strong woman. That hurts all women who, unlike Serena, act with integrity and honesty.

Exactly. She was all over the place, talked about women's rights, sexism, being a mum etc like wtf? She's a massive chip on her shoulder. Absolutely disgraceful.

And many of her fans now playing the race card (as expected).

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I don't understand the claimed issue of sexism - she was playing another woman.

Is Williams complaining that men are allowed to be more aggressive towards umpires? Two wrongs don't make a right. If she's right, the men's tour needs to be tightened up, not the women's tour allowed to routinely shout and jab their fingers at umpires.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

SW's coach admitted to coaching.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Not only did Osaka demonstrate a steely nerve in the face of daunting pressure, but she was quicker than Williams and hit the ball harder and cleaner. Williams hit 21 unforced errors to Osaka’s 14, and Osaka won 73 percent of points on her first serve to 63 percent for Williams. - New report.

She also had 6 aces to William's 3. Objectively, Naomi outplayed Serena who couldn't handle the younger lady's serve. Unfortunate that Serena suffered a massive meltdown (not her first) and the crowd wanted a hard fought match without the gimme game.

In the end, Naomi Osaka, the underdog youngster, holds her composure and becomes Japan's newest and most amazing national sports hero and the new darling of the tennis world.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I'm not quite sure what "coaching" means here. Was her coach telling Serena what to do (the signals)?

I'm not sure either but Nadal for one gets coaching regularly from the stands (as well as smashing his racket etc) in matches where Ramos officiates. Whether you think it should be allowed or not, why should Serena be penalized for the actions of her coach ?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

What is it with Yanks

well I’m sure plenty of Yanks felt for Osaka too, let’s not lump them all because Serena lost it in the heat of a big match, which she was losing.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

why should Serena be penalized for the actions of her coach ?

Its in the rulebook.

Bigger issue is perhaps the inconsistent policing of this rule. But her coach knows the rules, he chose to break it. And she then melted down.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

"Williams whispered something to Osaka and wrapped an arm around her shoulders."

Look for the good, and you shall find it.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Great match marred by controversy. Naomi kept her cool despite it all

.

Serena was talking too much. Chair umpire Ramos has a good reputation but should had realized the gravity of the situation that is a grand slam final

.

The coaching violation was questionable - Serena may or may not have seen it. There definitely had been more egregious coaching violations in women's tennis that haven't been called. And again, it's a grand slam final, and it's questionable - a quick warning should be the start, not to be quick with a code violation

.

That lit Serena off, and regardless, that's her fault for letting it get to her

.

As for the 3rd code violation that resulted in loss of a game, the ump should had definitely given a final warning first --given the severe penalty-- instead of outright giving out the penalty without warning. Serena was talking too much, but umps have been called much worse than "you're a thief" (and on a questionable call) and again, it's a grand slam final plus it's 4-3 in the 2nd set - the ump should had realized the gravity of that current situation

.

A final warning like: "this is your last warning: if you don't stop, you will be assessed a loss of a game." When players are reminded what big penalty they could lose, they usually tone it down significantly. The ump should had realized it would make for a bad image on the match with a loss of game penalty without final warning at 4-3 in the 2nd set in a grand slam final. (Any other time of the tournament, it won't cause nearly as much controversy - but this ain't just any other time)

.

Usually the ump is there during the award ceremony. The organizers were wise to spirit the ump away to not make the situation worse among the angry crowd. It didn't help that the ump at the time didn't explain the gravity of the penalty to the crowd, so people weren't fully aware what was happening then. That final warning (mentioned above) could had served to explain the situation to the crowd

.

Hats off to Naomi for winning her first grand slam at her "local" championship (she lived in NY at one point). At least Serena told the angry crowd "no more booing" during Naomi's ceremony. Too bad it'd be talked about more about the controversy

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Bigger issue is perhaps the inconsistent policing of this rule.

The umps know the protocol better than anyone.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2018/aug/31/controversy-follows-nick-kyrgios-after-umpires-pep-talk-at-us-open-video

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Is Williams complaining that men are allowed to be more aggressive towards umpires? 

That's what her and many of the feminists are whining about. But it's B of S. Jeff Farango got disqualified from Wimbledon for rude and aggressive behavior on court, a penalty about 1,000 times worst than what she got.

> Was her coach telling Serena what to do (the signals)?

He seems to have admitted it. I saw a video, and it sure looked like it. He was rocking one way and then the other and mouthing something.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Terrible sportsmanship. What sorelosers Serena and her supporters were. They ruined Osaka's moment of glory. Disgusted. Shame on them.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Serena should lose her sponsorship deals that will send a message that bullying and tantrums are not tolerated. Give them all to Naomi.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

There is no doubt that Serena's thuggish behavior was an embarrassment to the sport. She really should be suspended for her immature antics. However, the worst player in the whole drama was Katrina Adams, the head of the USTA. At the awards ceremony, she virtually ignored Naomi. Instead, she sucked up to Serena and the hopes of the crowd:

“Perhaps it’s not the finish we were looking for today,” Adams said, “but Serena, you are a champion of all champions.” Addressing the crowd, Adams added, “This mama is a role model and respected by all.”

Why didn't she pay attention to, I don't know, the WINNER? Yet another case of a narrative being more important than facts. Serena winning was the expected result- overcoming age, motherhood, etc. on her way to glory. When that did not happen, the powers that be in tennis couldn't handle it.

Good on Naomi for showing class and poise both on and off the court.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

interestingly, the majority of tennis blogs in the US support Naomi. Serena is also changing her story from “I’m not a cheater” to “it’s sexist”. I’m sure if it was against a white player, she’ll claim racism. I’m sure she has media advisors looking at the public sentiment.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The sad part is this is NOT the first time Serena Williams had temper issues during the US Open tennis tournament. Look at what happened in 2009 and 2011. Which is too bad because it mars otherwise a truly stellar career in that sport.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

but always stay gracious and stay humble

So she says, and yet she failed to show any grace at all during that match. What's gracious about throwing a tantrum, arguing with officials and smashing your racket? Then she tried throwing out the victim card as well, even though she has a track record of bad behaviour. I think it's time she steps away from the sport, she's setting a bad example to her fans, to players who idolise her (like Naomi Osaka) and to her daughter as well. This is unacceptable behaviour.

For those who were asking, coaching (as I understand it) is where you try to signal to your player certain instructions to give said player the advantage. Spectators can see more than the players do, and coaches can see areas of weakness in both players. Coaching is where you try to signal those weaknesses to your player. It is absolutely cheating, and needs to be punished firmly. Unfortunately, it's also hard to spot. The umpires need to stay focused on the players, they can't be watching the coaches as well. The coaches know this, so they take advantage of it with subtle sign language/body language.

I can't praise Naomi Osaka enough in this incident. Not just for her remarkable performance, but also in her response to everything that was going on. She strikes me as being a very kind-hearted person, especially the way she was apologising to Serena Williams' fans. There aren't enough kind-hearted people in the world, but I hope Osaka can be an excellent role model. I hope she doesn't end up becoming like Serena Williams and other poorly behaved tennis stars.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Congratulation Naomi-chan. I'm very proud of Naomi-chan. She was very much mature than Serena Williams.  Serena Williams knew she will lose the game to Naomi-chan and she was under pressure. She couldn’t break Naomi-chan big service game and helpless. Every break point, Naomi-chan serves the Ace or no return ball and she was completely focused on her game. She was a brilliant.

Naomi-chan managed to fend off 13 break points against Madison Keys in Semi final. Naomi-chan first serve average 110 mph and most of her first services were 115 mph. It was a big service for woman tennis player. Naomi-chan service is better than some of man tennis players. I was impressed by the improvement of her service and her game from last year. Naomi-chan will win more Grand Slam titles in the coming years.

I'm really sorry for Naomi-chan. I can't help it when I am watching her crying and booing from idiots at the trophy presentation ceremony on the TV. The moment of enjoyment for her first Grand Slam title was robbed by Serena Williams and her disgrace supporters. The crowd was disgraced and too many morons in the crowd.

Serena Williams owes apology to chair umpire Carlos Ramos and Naomi-chan. Her coach has confessed he was coaching her. Serena’s coach has broken the rule and also she has accused umpire thief and robbed her. Serena Williams has mental problem and she should see Psychologist or Psychiatrist. Everyone has mental problems and it’s nothing to shame about seeing Psychologist.

Serena Williams talking about she was robbed by the umpire is utterly rubbish and Naomi-chan can beat Serena without the 15 points penalized by the umpire. The tennis Naomi-chan play was a brilliant. She has a lot of room to improve her tennis.

Remember, Serena Williams was beaten by Naomi-chan at Miami Open. Now she beats Serena again in the US Open final. I hope they will meet in Australia and play each other again in Australia Open.

"I know everyone was cheering for her and I’m sorry it had to end like this," said Osaka. "I just want to say thank you for watching the match.

"It was also my dream to play Serena in the US Open final, and I'm really glad I was able to do that. I'm grateful I was able to play with you. Thank you.

Naomi-chan has replied to Serena Williams and her supporters with polite and the Japanese manners even though they are booing her. Well done, Naomi-chan.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Typical self-centered American behaviour exhibited by Serena and the crowd. If only they knew how to behave properly at a sporting event ...

4 ( +6 / -2 )

When passions cool and detachment sets it, her title won’t be overshadowed by the circus. It will be fortified by it. She didn’t just outplay Serena. She out-poised her and adapted to an unforeseeable scenario, as champions do.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Naomi Osaka should be encouraged to visit Japan at the earliest opportunity so that her HISTORY-MAKING triumph at the 2018 US Open can be acknowledged by, and celebrated with, people who truly understand and appreciate the magnitude of her achievement.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Personally, I don't believe any of the booing was directed at Naomi Osaka - she did nothing to provoke that sort of reaction.

Part of the crowd was obviously booing Serena Williams for ruining the game with her antics.

The rest of the booing was directed at the umpire and match referee who were presumptuous enough to enforce long-established rules against the darling of the bogan element in the crowd.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

LizzSep. 9  08:23 pm JST

I'm not quite sure what "coaching" means here. Was her coach telling Serena what to do (the signals)?

I'm not sure either but..

If you're not sure, check your facts before commenting.

Nadal for one gets coaching regularly from the stands

As proven by?

(as well as smashing his racket etc) in matches where Ramos officiates.

And I would be very surprised if he didn't receive a code violation each time.

Whether you think it should be allowed or not, why should Serena be penalized for the actions of her coach ?

Because coaching during the course of a match is an offence.

The Coach is her Employee.

If her employee commits an offence from which she derives a benefit, she pays the penalty because, penalising the coach does not negate the benefit received.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Serena Williams didn’t notice that the “booing” is for her, not for the umpire. Her complaints such as sexism is irrelevant. Hysterical woman. She is the one who owes an apology to everyone, especially to the umpire and to Naomi for misbehaving. By the eay, she should blame her coach who put her into trouble. If she want an apology, that would be from her coach.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

West seaSep. 10  08:29 pm JST Serena Williams didn’t notice that the “booing” is for her, not for the umpire.

Ah, no. The booing was clearly for the umpire.

Her complaints such as sexism is irrelevant. Hysterical woman. 

You're being ironic with that comment, right?

Chop ChopSep. 10  03:43 am JST Congratulation Naomi-chan. I'm very proud of Naomi-chan. She was very much mature than Serena Williams. .... Naomi-chan has replied to Serena Williams and her supporters with polite and the Japanese manners even though they are booing her. 

Naomi-chan? Serena? I'm not sure what you're talking about but your bias is clearly showing and it sounds like you're referring to Naomi as a baby. She's a grown woman so maybe you should show more respect towards her, a grown woman who's lived in the US, not Japan, since she was three years old. Her father is Haitian. Her maternal grandfather, who's Japanese, said her mother disgraced the family for marrying a black man. Why do you assume that her manners have anything to do with her being "Japanese"?

The crowd was not booing Naomi. They were booing the umpire.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

She's a grown woman so maybe you should show more respect towards her, a grown woman who's lived in the US, not Japan, since she was three years old. Her father is Haitian. Her maternal grandfather, who's Japanese, said her mother disgraced the family for marrying a black man. Why do you assume that her manners have anything to do with her being "Japanese"?

Her mother is Japanese. Have you never met kids who have been raised by parents from more than one country, who have taken on the cultural aspects of both? It's a real thing, extremely well documented. And watching her, I see some things I would consider to be Japanese mannerisms.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangeland - Yes, I'm aware that her mother is Japanese and yes, I've met plenty of kids raised in bi-cultural households. And yet, I still wouldn't assume that one was "polite" because of their Japanese heritage because I've also met both polite and rude Japanese. And, while I've never, to the best of my knowledge, met her maternal grandfather, he sure seems to fall into the latter category. He's Japanese, isn't he?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I still wouldn't assume that one was "polite" because of their Japanese heritage because I've also met both polite and rude Japanese.

The question here isn't 'someone', it's Ms. Osaka. Her mannerisms come across as Japanese in some way. Who is anyone to say they aren't? She was born here, and was raised by a Japanese mom.

I've never, to the best of my knowledge, met her maternal grandfather, he sure seems to fall into the latter category. He's Japanese, isn't he?

Yep, and it appears that he had some sort of negative issue. Maybe it was because his daughter had a child with a black guy, maybe not. What's your point? If he did have a problem with her because of her race, then it would appear that Ms. Osaka's win is a good thing, as it has opened his mind since he shows interest in seeing her. People like her, and other biracial women who do Japan proud, are great ambassadors for those who are not of 100% Japanese lineage, showing how they can still be Japanese.

Good on Ms. Osaka for being such an amazing tennis player, it's just a bonus that she also helps open the eyes of people out there, both Japanese and otherwise.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangerland: Yep, and it appears that he had some sort of negative issue. Maybe it was because his daughter had a child with a black guy, maybe not. What's your point? 

Really? Is it that hard to understand my point? My point is quite simply that posters attributing her "politeness" to her being Japanese do so at the expense of her father, who is not Japanese, and the place where she has spent the majority of her life. I've yet to read anyone say that she is polite because her parents - plural - raised her to be that way. Again, there are polite Japanese and there are rude Japanese, such as her grandfather. Just as I'm sure there are polite Haitians and Americans and rude Haitians and Americans. Despite what many like to think, one culture doesn't have a monopoly on politeness, particularly as what is considered polite in one place is not necessarily so in another. The sad thing is that those insisting that she is polite due to her Japanese heritage are actually being quite rude with regards to the rest of her heritage. Why does that even have to be explained?

As for her grandfather, yes, great. I hope that they have a close and loving relationship. Grandparents can be awesome.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My point is quite simply that posters attributing her "politeness" to her being Japanese do so at the expense of her father

Not really. No one is saying that her father had nothing to do with her politeness, but she grew up with a Japanese mom, the idea that she may have picked up Japanese traits is not particularly surprising. I recently met a family in Australia with a non-Japanese father, and a Japanese mother, and the daughters spoke really good Japanese, and in Japanese they were very polite and well-mannered. Their dad is a nice guy, but the effects of their mother were well pronounced.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangerland: Not really. No one is saying that her father had nothing to do with her politeness, but she grew up with a Japanese mom, the idea that she may have picked up Japanese traits is not particularly surprising....

And yet no one, at least no one posting here, is giving the father any credit.

....the idea that she may have picked up Japanese traits is not particularly surprising.

Again, you are, inadvertently, I'm guessing, proving my point. Politeness isn't a uniquely Japanese trait.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And yet no one, at least no one posting here, is giving the father any credit.

No one is saying he didn't do anything either. It's not a zero-sum game.

Again, you are, inadvertently, I'm guessing, proving my point. Politeness isn't a uniquely Japanese trait.

No one is claiming it is. What I said was that the idea she may have picked up Japanese traits is not particularly surprising, and while no one is claiming politeness is uniquely Japanese, It's definitely a Japanese trait.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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