Amid Sexism Row, Serena Williams Slapped With $17,000 Fine For Outburst During US Open Final

Tennis superstar Serena Williams has been hit with a hefty fine of $17,000 for committing three code violations during her shock US Open final defeat to her Japanese opponent Naomi Osaka on Saturday, CNN has reported.

US Tennis Association announced on Sunday that Williams will be fined $10,000 for unleashing verbal abuse on chair umpire Carlos Ramos, $4,000 for receiving on-field coaching tips and another $3,000 for breaking her racket in a fit of rage.

Williams, who was in pursuit of her 24th grand slam singles title which would tie her with another American Tennis legend Margaret Court, received her first code violation for illegally receiving coaching tips early in the second set of the match. She responded angrily at the umpire, “I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose. I’m just letting you know.”

William’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou later conceded that he was indeed tutoring but said also added that most coaches provide tips during the course of the match . Williams, however, denied receiving any on-field coaching assistance.

Little later during the course of the match, Williams smashed her racket – an automatic point penalty – after Osaka broke her serve to establish a 3-2 lead. Williams continued her verbal tirade against Ramos describing him as a thief and a liar. She was heard saying “You will never be on another court of mine as long as you live. You owe me an apology.” Ramos then penalised her for verbal abuse. The score turned 5-3 in Osaka’s favour.

During the post-match news conference, Williams charged Ramos with sexism. "I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark," she said. "He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief.’” William’s charge of sexism found support from former tennis champion Billie Jean.

King took to Twitter expressing solidarity with Williams’s accusation of gender bias.

King also authored an opinion piece in The Washington Post suggesting that Williams is still treated differently than male athletes.