Serena Williams was defeated this past Saturday by Naomi Osaka at the U.S Open final. Osaka beat Williams in straight sets, claiming the first Grand Slam title of her career. Nonetheless, what happened at the court was more than just tennis.
The Match
Naomi Osaka won the match via a 6-2, 6-4 score. The 20-year-old pulled the upset while defeating her “Idol”. More importantly, she became the first Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam title. Unfortunately, the match highlights featured more fumes and arguments than actual match play as the veteran from Michigan lost control in the middle of the second set.
Court Rage
Williams was warned by umpire Carlos Ramos for coaching as her trainer gave her a thumbs up from the stands. She showed her discontent as she argued with the ref and resumed play. Serena eventually spoke to the umpire demanding an apology.
I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand for what is right for her and I’ve never cheated.
As the match moved along Williams smashed a couple of rackets on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, costing her a point penalty. Minutes later, Serena threaten the chair umpire once again. This time she called the umpire “a thief” before saying that Ramos will never ever be in any court of hers “for as long as he lived”. Ramos granted Williams a game penalty due to verbal abuse. Osaka then claimed the title in a match that she was already dominating for the most part.
Williams later stated at a post-match press conference that she believed her game penalty was “a sexist remark”.
The Just Do It Effect
Like many, Serena Williams praised Colin Kaepernick‘s newest Nike ad. It is well-known that the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has become an activist for human rights, ever since taking a seat during the National Anthem for the first time in 2016. Kaepernick has become a voice to the minorities and an icon against discrimination and gender violence. While Kaepernick is right and has made an enormous impact on athletes and media in all of sports, Williams clearly got something wrong with her Just Do It-like approach.
Over Our Heads
Everyone has ideas of their own. Everyone fights for them. Some take them to the biggest stages possible, just like the former 49er. This is, by all means, right as everyone has the freedom of speech to let opinions be known and let voices be heard. Nonetheless, discrimination, gender violence and, sexism are a thousand times more important than whatever happens inside a tennis court. Being one of the best female tennis players of all times, this past Saturday’s final will not be her last.
Do not go over your head Mrs. Williams… It was just a game.