U.S. Open preview
As the start of the 2019 U.S. Open approaches, the indelible image from last year’s tournament remains Serena Williams pointing her index finger at the chair umpire during the women’s final. Williams was warned for receiving a coaching signal from the stands, was later docked a point and, eventually, a game.
As the start of the 2019 U.S. Open approaches, the indelible image from last year’s tournament does not involve a particularly remarkable shot or a champion holding a trophy.
Instead, it is, and likely forever will remain, Serena Williams pointing her index finger at chair umpire Carlos Ramos while insisting that he owed her an apology after they clashed during the women’s final.
The tenor of that match between Williams — who then was, and currently is, seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles trophy — and Naomi Osaka — whose terrific performance during a 6-2, 6-4 victory largely was ignored amid the chaos that enveloped Arthur Ashe Stadium that day — shifted after Ramos warned Williams for receiving a coaching signal from the stands and devolved from there. She eventually was docked a point and, later, a game — and afterward, was fined $17,000.
Almost a full 12 months later, with first-round play beginning Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that 1-hour, 19-minute contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus.
Among the key story lines that carry over: Serena Williams, also the runner-up at Wimbledon each of the past two years, is trying to equal Margaret Court’s mark for most major singles championships. Osaka, who added her second Slam title at the Australian Open in January, returns to New York ranked No. 1 — and dealing with knee discomfort that forced her withdrawal from a tuneup tournament last week.
What’s more, the tennis world is filled with ongoing discussions and debates about such matters as the proper role of chair umpires, the way the code of conduct is constructed and, maybe above all, whether in-match coaching should be permitted everywhere.
On that last subject, there are those who would like to see it, such as the USTA itself — which lobbied, to no avail so far, the folks who run the other majors to approve coaching — or Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year’s final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.
Said U.S. Tennis Association executive Stacey Allaster: “I understand it’s polarizing, but ultimately, we have to look at how tennis competes and is relevant. … Access is a key part of it; engagement with fans that want to hear from the players and coaches.”
Said Mouratoglou: “I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed.”
There are others, such as Roger Federer or the person in charge of Wimbledon, who think it goes against the very fabric of the game.
Said Federer: “I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t have coaching in tennis. … It’s what actually makes our sport unique.”
Said All England Club executive chairman Richard Lewis: “Most of the men have said they’re against it. A lot of coaches have said they’re against it. There’s a lot of people — Wimbledon, as much as anybody — who feel that tennis is very special because it is a gladiatorial contest. … You’re on your own.”