Game, set, match: How Serena got it wrong

A man and woman get pulled over for speeding by different officers. The man gets a warning, but the woman is issued a ticket.

Is that the result of sexist police? And is it a double standard, the result of an old-boys club that doesn’t like women drivers?

Of course not. In point of fact, it is a matter of officers exercising that most unique human trait: Discretion. From roadways to courtrooms, and from principals’ offices to sports venues, every situation is different. As a result, different punishments are meted out, based on factors specific to each case.

Feeling slighted doesn’t absolve people of their wrongdoing. In our example, the woman broke the law, and must face the consequences. It doesn’t matter if she feels singled out. Neither is it relevant if she believes the speed limit is too low. She can lobby to change the law after the fact, but, unequivocally, she broke existing law. To expect preferential treatment after committing a transgression is bad enough, but to call it a racket is over the line.

And speaking of racquets, that’s exactly the way Serena Williams is describing her situation at the U.S. Open following her epic, and yes, embarrassing meltdown.

No matter the outcome, the U.S. Open Final between Williams and Naomi Osaka promised to be a stellar day for tennis. A Williams victory would place her in a tie for most Grand Slam singles wins. And if Osaka prevailed, she would become the first Japanese champion.

Osaka did win, but her achievement was overshadowed, and the day marred, by Serena’s outburst, which took center court.

During the second set, Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos assessed Williams three code violations for infractions that he, and the entire planet, plainly observed.

First, Williams was warned about receiving instructions from coach Patrick Mouratoglou, since coaching during matches is prohibited. A short while later, she shattered her racquet in a fit of anger, and verbally abused the umpire, calling him a “thief” and “liar.”

She was fined $17,000, and assessed scoring penalties.

Yet despite breaking the rules of a game she chose to play, in an organization she freely chose to join, Serena Williams apparently thinks she’s above the “law,” and that the rules shouldn’t apply to her.

When assessed the penalty for receiving coaching tips, Williams responded to the umpire: “I have never cheated in my life … you owe me an apology!”

An apology? After Mouratoglou freely admitted to coaching her during the match? Sorry, Serena, but no.

Serena led, three games to one, when she received her first warning. She played poorly and lost the next game. It was then that she smashed her racquet and received her second violation - being docked a point in the next game.

Her verbal assault on the umpire continued throughout the match: “You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live … You stole a point from me … You are a thief … You are a liar … When are you going to me an apology? Say you are sorry.”

Serena’s conduct was bad, but her position that the penalties were rooted in Ramos’ alleged sexism - that men get away with worse - was ridiculous.

First, that’s not necessarily true. Sure, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe had legendary tirades, but few, if any, players get away with such outbursts today. Second, the umpire refereeing her game cannot be responsible for what other umpires do. He was simply enforcing the rules. Third, since no two situations are the same, attempting to lump every disagreement/outburst into a homogenous, one-size-fits all mold doesn’t work.

Obviously, double standards, in all forms, still exist. But in today’s hypersensitized climate, does anyone really believe that a secret cabal of men are out to get not just female tennis players, but black ones? Just as there’s no “Deep State,” there’s no organized attempt to marginalize women in tennis.

If you don’t like rules, fine. Don’t play. But when you do, from pee wee football to the U.S. Open, you are expected comply. End of story.

Serena Williams is the greatest female tennis player of all time, but she just served up a whopping fault.

She owes it to the umpire, her fans, and the game of tennis to apologize. Otherwise, her reputation as a preeminent role model will be forever tainted game, set, match.