WTA chief backs Serena

– Serena Williams’ claim that the code violations that sparked her meltdown in the US Open final were sexist stirred debate, with WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon backing her on Sunday.

Williams (below) was handed three code violations – and docked a point and then a game – in her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Flushing Meadows final on Saturday.

Osaka outplayed her childhood hero to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam, but her accomplishment was swamped in the controversy surrounding 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams.

The American superstar claimed that chair umpire Carlos Ramos meted out penalties for infractions that male players could have got away with, specifically a violation for verbal abuse after she called him a “thief” and a “liar” for warning her for coaching from her players’ box, then docking her a point when a racquet abuse violation followed.

Eventually she was docked a game – putting Osaka on the brink of victory.

Simon said the affair brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches.

“The WTA believes there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same,” he said.

“We do not believe this was done last night.”

Williams was most incensed by the first code violation she received – for coaching from her box.

It’s not clear if she even saw the hand gestures by coach Patrick Mouratoglou sitting in her box, although he admitted in an interview with ESPN that he was trying to advise her – and said all coaches do it.

– After going from goofball to Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka (right) can follow her historic US Open triumph by becoming Japan’s first world No 1, predicts Japanese tennis great Kimiko Date.

Though Osaka’s moment of glory was overshadowed by Serena Williams’ meltdown during her stunning 6-2, 6-4 upset of her idol at the weekend, the 20-year-old demonstrated she has the game, and the grit, to be a serial winner, according to Date.

“To keep your cool like that, from the moment you step onto court to the last point, isn’t easy,” added the former world No 4, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1996.

“If she continues to develop the way she has over the past two weeks and stays motivated, she can go on to be Japan’s first world number one.”

Osaka, whose playful nature has made her a favourite on the women’s tour, is expected to climb from 19 to seven in the rankings after becoming an unlikely hero in Japan.

The first Japanese player, man or woman, to capture a Grand Slam singles title, Osaka won her first WTA tournament at Indian Wells in March when her trophy presentation went viral – “This is probably going to be the worst acceptance speech of all time,” she blushed.

Osaka, who is of Haitian-Japanese descent and was raised in the United States, replies to questions from Japan’s media in English with a subtle Caribbean lilt, frequently apologising for her rudimentary Japanese.

But she has put Japanese tennis firmly on the map with her shock victory over Williams, who was chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown.

Osaka’s game mirrors that of the American: big serve, murderous shots off both flanks, particularly the forehand – and a steely determination.

Date likened Osaka to China’s Li Na, who retired in 2014 after winning the French and Australian Opens and reaching No 2 in the world.

“Osaka is taking on the power tennis of the women’s game with power of her own – an Asian player, a Japanese player,” said Date, who retired last year at the age of 46.

“Until now only Li Na had the physique to be able to tackle that kind of power.” –