Embattled umpire Ramos ‘good’ despite Serena row

UMPIRE Carlos Ramos has made his first public statement since the US Open, saying he was “good” despite the firestorm of controversy that followed his officiating of last weekend’s women’s final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.

The 47-year-old Portuguese handed out three code violations to runner-up Williams last Saturday, prompting a heated on-court argument with the 23-time American Grand Slam champion and sparking a debate about sexism in tennis.

“I am good, under the circumstances,” Ramos was quoted as saying in Tribuna Expresso. “It’s an unhappy situation but a la carte refereeing doesn’t exist.

“Don’t you worry about me!”

Ramos, who told the Portugal newspaper that he had avoided walking the streets of New York on Sunday to avoid any “complicated situations”, confirmed he would be back in the chair today in Zadar, Croatia.

The International Tennis Federation, which on Monday issued a statement describing Ramos as one of the most respected umpires in tennis, has appointed him to officiate the semifinal of the Davis Cup, the international men’s team event, between Croatia and the United States.

The United States Tennis Association and the Women’s Tennis Association both publicly backed the allegations of sexism leveled at Ramos after Saturday’s match.

Williams was fined US$17,000 and docked a point and a game for three code violations during the match, including breaking a racquet and verbally abusing the umpire.

Ramos was unable to defend himself in public in New York as the row escalated over the weekend since ITF rules prevent umpires from commenting on their matches.