"I am not a cheat", Serena Williams accuses tennis of sexism

September 09, 2018 09:06

Serena Williams insisted she was not cheating in the US Open final on Saturday before accusing the sport which has made her a global icon of sexism. Naomi Osaka won the final 6-2, 6-4 to become Japan's first ever Grand Slam singles champion. It also delayed Williams's bid for a record-equalling 24th major title. However, the final was overshadowed by the American's angry and tear-filled meltdown in the second set.

She was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a "liar and a thief" and insisting "you owe me an apology".

Williams insisted that her coach Patrick Mouratoglou had not been coaching her even though the Frenchman told ESPN that he had and that all coaches do it.

Williams said women players are treated differently to their male counterparts in the sport.

"I've seen other men call other umpires several things. I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality," said the 36-year-old.

"For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.

"He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief'. For me it blows my mind. But I'm going to continue to fight for women."

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