Osaka wins US open, Serena calls umpire ‘thief’
New York: Naomi Osaka won the US Open after an angry Serena Williams accused the umpire of being a “thief ” in some of the most dramatic scenes at a Grand Slam final. Williams was given a game penalty for her outburst, which followed racquet smashing and another code violation as Osaka won 6-2 6-4 in New York.
Osaka, 20, kept her focus to become the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam. Williams refused to shake hands with umpire Carlos Ramos after the match.
The American, 36, graciously congratulated Osaka at the net after the 20th seed completed an extraordinary victory and, although Williams’ behaviour will grab the attention, nothing should detract from a classy and composed display from Osaka at Flushing Meadows.
“I’m sorry it had to end like this,” a crying Osaka said.
Williams was given a first code violation after Ramos judged a gesture from coach Patrick Mouratoglou to be coaching - which is allowed on the WTA Tour but not during Grand Slams.
Williams said she had not received any tactics from Mouratoglou, telling the umpire she would “never cheat to win and would rather lose”.
The Frenchman later admitted to ESPN that he had been coaching from the box. “I was coaching but I don’t think she looked at me,” Mouratoglou said. “Sash [Osaka’s coach Sascha Bajin] was coaching as well, everybody does it. - BBC Sports