Why spoilt Serena’s not above the rules
SERENA WILLIAMS lost her temper with umpire Carlos Ramos at the U.S. Open final not once, but several times, and was abusive to him. To most people, this is unacceptable behaviour, but apparently not to her fans. What message does this send out? No tennis player should be above the rules, especially those at the highest level. In other sports, such an outburst would have resulted in a red card and a ban.
IAN WORRALL, Woking, Surrey. AS A SpORTS lover, I am outraged by Serena Williams’s unsportsmanlike behaviour at the U.S. Open. She rants about fighting for women’s rights and equality but, sorry Serena, you’re not. You are there to play a tennis match and if you are unable to do that according to the rules, perhaps it’s time for you to retire.
DAVID PITT, Boxley, Kent. SERENA showed no grace, no respect, unprofessional behaviour and a shocking example to her daughter.
GILL HALE, Warwick. I HAVE enormous respect for Serena Williams, who has surpassed many hurdles to become a champion tennis player. She is admired, liked and respected by her fellow players. She has been treated unfairly in the past by officials and has also let her fiery temper get the better of her. At the weekend’s U.S. Open final, umpire Carlos Ramos adhered strictly to the rules. But by handing out severe penalties, he may have altered the course of the match and cost Serena the title. Would he have tolerated the same behaviour from a male player? It is for him and his conscience to know. Female players have claimed there is sexism when handing out disciplinary action. Next time, Serena, just bite your lip — after all, you have had to do it so many times before.
DIANE SILVA, Lytham St Annes, Lancs. SERENA WILLIAMS was fined less than 1 per cent of her U.S. Open prize money for her unprofessional outburst. They can not be serious! J. KEEPING, Sturminster Newton, Dorset. FOLLOWING her return to tennis, Serena Williams has made continual references to giving birth and bringing up her daughter. Compare her attitude to the many other female athletes who compete after having children and health issues and do not use these as an excuse for losing matches. KATHLEEN HANRATTY, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. SO SERENA WILLIAMS is fighting for equality in tennis. I don’t recall hearing her call for women to play the same number of sets as the men to earn the same prize money.
C. PICKERING, Howden, E. Yorks. DOES Serena think she is above sanction? In any other sport apart from the ludicrously overblown world of tennis, she could be facing a ban for such an outburst. Her apparent belief that she has a divine right to win has finally been overruled by a courageous referee. Her ace card, that this is sexism, has been trumped.
A. B. MEDLEY, Wakefield, W. Yorks.