Yes, Ramos is a thief (and Osaka’s a victim)

Serena Williams was guilty of boorish behavior. U.S. Open chair umpire Carlos Ramos is indeed guilty of “theft.” Ramos stole Naomi Osaka’s victory when he stole the competition from the court by inserting his ego into the match.

Umpires are tasked only with the rule of play. Umpires should be facilitators, not participants.

Did Ramos forget the heightened emotions of championship players? While officiating may give the umpire an elevated heart rate, it pales in comparison to the real and physical fight of the players. For him to penalize Williams a game for calling him a thief is outrageous.

If she had cursed him with repeated vulgarities, maybe, MAYBE a game penalty is warranted. The realization of Osaka’s lifelong dream of beating the best tennis player of all time on the court is tainted by a self-important thinskinned official. Shame on him.

— GLENN KELLY, LEANDER