Williams thinks she’s above the law

SERENA WILLIAMS simply does not think the rules should apply to her and does not care who knows it.

Why else would she go into a press conference to explain her on-court histrionics wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word NIKE when the regulations restrict branding to four square inches?

Or is it sexism to pick her up on that, too?

If only the letter of the law was written half so large in Williams’ world as the letters of her sponsor.

She had been charged with three code violations: Patrick Mouratoglou admitted he was coaching, her racket was “intentionally and violently damaged” and she “implied dishonesty” by calling the umpire a “liar” and a “thief”.

Williams has done so much to raise the profile of her sport and her gender over the years but this was not one of those days. There was nothing to argue about.

This was not about her being treated differently to men but being made to adhere to the same behavioural regulations as her opponent.

That is the job of an umpire or referee – not that their recruitment is ever helped by tawdry episodes such as this. But why does a 23-time Grand Slam champion think she is so far above the rules?

Because those nearest to her indicate that she is – including the WTA itself.

In the face of such appalling diva-like behaviour it takes some ingenuity to become the bigger villains of the piece but the authorities overseeing the women’s game managed it.

“Serena at all times plays with class and makes us proud,” they said in a mealymouthed statement released in the aftermath of fellow WTA member Naomi Osaka’s big night being spoiled.

What the Japanese player thought of all this is anybody’s guess. She was not giving any clues publicly, a much better definition of “class” to which young girls should aspire.

Not tearfully moaning with naked opportunism about sexual inequality to applause led by your sister and agent in the front row of a press conference for accredited journalists.

Williams’ problem had been too much equality – everybody being treated the same in the letter and spirit of the tennis law.

Unrepentant Williams has her own agenda and the message to the rest of us – the press, tennis authorities and fans – seemed clear from her choice of Nike apparel.

Just Do One.