Serena Williams’s bid for a 24th major title collapsed in a welter of tears, angry accusation and code violations – even featuring a rare game penalty – as a series of furious rows with tournament officials overshadowed the maiden victory of 20-year-old Naomi Osaka.
For the first time ever at the US Open, the trophy ceremony was drowned out by boos when compere Tom Rinaldi stood up to take charge. Williams then dissolved into tears as she tried to bring some positivity to what was a desperately disappointing way for Osaka to open her grand-slam account.
"I don’t want to be rude. She played well. Let’s make this the best moment we can, let’s not boo any more,” said Williams.
Then it was Osaka’s turn, and she looked more devastated than delighted. She even wound up apologising for having beaten the crowd’s favourite in scenes that surely have little precedent in this or any other sport.
Osaka had just become the first major-winner from Japan, defying a hugely partisan crowd to close out a 6-2, 6-4 victory in just 79 minutes. But it will be the hostile scenes shared by Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos that most people will remember from this tempestuous final.
NSA-SURVEILLANCE on September 9th, 2018 at 01:23 UTC »
The original point violation for coaching on Serena Williams.
Disagreement with the point violation.
Game violation for verbal abuse against umpire.
Here's the full clip of the altercation.
I feel so bad for Osaka, for someone who looked up to Williams growing up playing tennis, to competing against her in the finals like this. She was definitely cheated out of her moment by the spectating fans when they booed the trophy celebration. Osaka was definitely performing better than Williams during the game and deserves the victory.
egomouse on September 8th, 2018 at 23:36 UTC »
I feel so bad for Osaka. After she wins, she can't even face the cameras and just sits there with a towel over her face.
edit: for context, the reffing controversy really sullied the atmosphere.
jfoobar on September 8th, 2018 at 22:53 UTC »
It is a big shame that the controversy between Serena and the chair umpire will at least partially overshadow this young woman's achievement. She had won the first set 6-2 and was on-serve in the second having just broken back. She also won Indian Wells (arguably the biggest non-Slam on the calendar) and beat Serena easily at the Miami Open. All that suggests that she was likely to win the match anyway but I think some Serena fans will put an * next to this win anyway.
Clearly Serena wants to win her 24th and 25th majors to tie and surpass Margaret Court's record. Yet, since she has come back from child birth she is 0-3 included two finals losses. I think it is safe to say that this topic will be A-#1 what the commentators will be talking about next January in Melbourne.