Serena Williams' Behavior Was Wrong, Martina Navratilova Says

Serena Williams was lauded for her actions and addressing sexism in sport during the 2018 US Open women’s singles final, but has also been criticised in equal measure for her behavior toward the chair umpire. And tennis legend Martina Navratilova was among those who agreed she was wrong.

The 23-time women’s singles Grand Slam winner made the final all about her despite Naomi Osaka creating history by becoming the first Japanese player to win a singles Grand Slam.

To recap, it all began early in the second set — after Williams had lost the first 6-2 — when she was handed a code violation for coaching. The American’s coach Patrick Mouratoglu was seen making hand gestures — and later admitted he was coaching his player, which is not allowed.

Serena insisted she was not coached and that she was not a cheater before getting on with the game — the second incident occurred a few games later when she lost her serve being 3-1 up and smashed her racket on the court — which is a violation and it being her second, she was docked a point.

This action by the chair umpire enraged Williams, who continued to insist the first violation was unwarranted and he should rescind it. When the match official refused to do so, she branded him a thief and a liar, for which she was given a third code violation, and according to the rules docked a game.

This brought about another tirade of words toward the umpire and she accused him of being sexist suggesting a similar indiscretion by a male player would not have warranted such a severe punishment and they have said much worse than just calling the official “a thief.”

Navratilova, a former multiple Grand Slam champion, currently working as a broadcaster, believes there is a double standard as to how women are treated — not only in tennis but also in other walks of life — but reprimanded Williams on her behavior toward the umpire and her excuse stating “men get away with worse.”

“Serena Williams has part of it right. There is a huge double standard for women when it comes to how bad behavior is punished — and not just in tennis,” Navratilova wrote in her opinion piece on the New York Times. “But in her protests against an umpire during the United States Open final on Saturday, she also got part of it wrong.”

“I don’t believe it’s a good idea to apply a standard of “If men can get away with it, women should be able to, too.” Rather, I think the question we have to ask ourselves is this: What is the right way to behave to honor our sport and to respect our opponents?” the 18-time women’s singles Grand Slam champion added.

And it was not the first time the American lost her temper at Flushing Meadows – she lost the semifinal in 2009 against Kim Clijsters when she threatened a line judge while down match point – she was docked a point and the match was concluded.

She again lost a point in the 2011 US Open final when she yelled “come on!” during a game against Samantha Stosur, which helped her turn around her fortunes in a game she was losing.

Navratilova has no qualms about the “sexism” remark and believes if it was the case, an investigation must be launched. But the former world number one was clear no player has to right to behave on the court like Williams did Sunday.