Serena Williams' US Open Meltdown- My Take
Serena Williams has created an uproar in the US Open Final. Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past 24 hours you must know about it. Here is my take.
The controversy comes down to three incidents.
1) The on court coaching violation
2) Breaking of the racket
3) Verbal Abuse
As per the WTA rules there is what is called the ‘point penalty schedule’. A violation of any one of a number of rules results in the following schedule.
1st Offense- Warning
2nd Offense- Point Penalty
3rd and Subsequent Offenses- Game Penalty
1st Offense- On court coaching violation
Section XVI- Code of Conduct vii
a) Players shall not receive coaching during a match (including warm up) with the exception of the allowed coaching breaks as defined in the On-Court Coaching Requests - Section XVII.H.3. Communication of any kind, audible or visible, between a Player and a coach may be construed as coaching
b) Violations of this Section shall subject a Player to a fine up to $5,000 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the Player shall be penalized in CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION XVI - CODE OF CONDUCT 256 accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule
Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou admitted that he was coaching her. It is his argument that coaches do it all the time. Sorry, no matter how many people are doing it, it doesn't make it right, just ask Lance Armstrong.
So should Serena have received a warning? 100%.-
2nd Offense- Breaking the racket
Section XVI- Code of Conduct iii
a) Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the Tournament site
b) Violations of this Section shall subject a Player to a fine upto $2,500 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the Player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule.
This is an easy one, was this rule violated? Of course. So as per the point penalty schedule she should have been docked a point. Fair, and by the rules-
3rd Offense- Abusing the official
Section XVI- Code of Conduct vi
a) Players shall not at any time directly or indirectly verbally CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION XVI - CODE OF CONDUCT 255 abuse any official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or any other person within the precincts of the Tournament site. Verbal abuse is defined as any statement about an official, opponent, spectator or any other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.
b) Violations of this Section shall subject a Player to a fine up to $10,000 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the Player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule.
Did Serena violate this rule? Yes, she did make a statement that implied dishonesty and was otherwise abusive. So as per the rules, this was her third strike and therefore the loss of game is valid as per the point penalty schedule.
My Take
As far as violation 1 and 2 go I don’t believe Serena has any legs to stand on. Her coach has admitted he was coaching her during the match and she did break a racket. Case closed. Therefore, I am not sure on what basis she was demanding an apology. There is absolutely no debate that what the umpire did here was correct and he was not a 'thief' of a point.
The big issue comes with the third decision. This rule will never be black and white simply because it comes down to the umpires discretion. You can show the video to a hundred people and some will say that he was right in what he did and some will say that other players have done worse and have gotten away with it. So was it fair?
I’ve watched it a few times and I would have to say the decision was a bit harsh.
Was it by the rules? Yes. Should the umpire have ignored her rant and let them play on? I would have, but the umpire didn’t. Should Serena, with her experience, have been smart knowing that she had two violations against her? Yes, she should have. Players who are about to foul out in a basketball game or have received one yellow card in a football match play smart, because they know they are one discretionary call away from being kicked out of the game.
Forget Roger and Rafa, I believe Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player this generation has ever seen. But on Saturday she didn’t show the maturity of a person who has won 23 Grand Slams. She fought the umpire all along that she had been robbed of a point. She wasn’t. Her argument was incorrect, she had two clear justifiable violations. It is this temper tantrum where she wanted an undeserved apology that caused the umpire to take his discretionary, albeit harsh call.
No matter how much you fine tune the rules of any sport there will always be some rules that come down to a discretionary call. It is inevitable and don’t think for one second there isn’t another one of these controversies around the corner.
The saddest part of this incident is that instead of writing about Naomi Osaka, the world is writing about Serena Williams.
Photo credit Serena Williams- http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/us-open-2018-serena-williams-receives-game-penalty-in-final-match-against-naomi-osaka/aypuru80q2jn1s2k7h2045uw5
Photo Credit Naomi Osaka- http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/11492719/serena-williams-targets-history-against-naomi-osaka-in-us-open-final
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