Posted on 09/10/2018 5:16:48 PM PDT by EdnaMode
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.
But in her protests against an umpire during the United States Open final on Saturday, she also got part of it wrong. I dont believe its 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?
To recap: The trouble began when early in the second set, Ms. Williams was given a warning for coaching. This one is on her coach: Patrick Mouratoglou was using both hands to motion to Ms. Williams to move forward and got called on it. While it is true that illegal coaching is quite common and that most coaches do it, its also true that despite what many commentators have said following Saturdays events, they are called on it quite frequently and that most of the time, players just shrug it off and know that going forward, they and their coaches now need to behave, because the next infraction will cost them a point. The player is responsible for his or her coachs conduct. And it is actually irrelevant whether the player saw or heard whatever instructions were given; either way, it is still an infraction.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
yeah, the time to address an issue is AFTER and/or BEFORE a match...not in the middle of it.
Frankly, after reading what she said to the official back in 2009, I think she should have been banned from competition.
I remember a baseball player (Roberto Alomar? I think it was a catcher...) SPITTING in the face of an umpire. Why that guy was allowed to continue in the big leagues I have NO IDEA. You just DON’T abuse an official like that.
Some pitcher in the 80s for the NY Mets (Bob something or another I think...can’t remember the last name) got busted SEVERAL times for cocaine. He, too, should’ve been booted. Maybe the first time is a “I screwed up” but numerous times? The leagues shouldn’t tolerate these athletes abusing their position, bodies and the reputation of the game.
Serena should never be allowed to walk on the court.
And yes, John McEnroe should’ve been booted too. Very wrong to address officials in a nasty manner during a game.
After a game, the league ought to have ways for the players to have a grievance. I do believe officials can go overboard. But during a match, one should act like a professional—not like a four year old.
Someone in Serenas sport tend to age a lot faster, the body can only take so much then it just starts to tire out on you!!!
Just had a very liberal coworker tell me that it was racist and sexist because they (the ref I guess) did not like black women who are mothers getting help from a coach.
When I pointed out the rules (no coaching during play) he said “That is racist”.
So I just gave up.
Sports simply are no fun to watch anymore.
She didn't complain in a coherent manner, she threatened the umpire (that he'd never be on another one of her courts, guess she's part owner now?), and, more to the point, it isn't the first time she's acted the fool at the US Open, (and has been assessed fines before), it isn't the first time she's acted the fool in other tournaments. She's just an a-hole.
You’re joking.
Let Williams rage
This is a very fair and reasonable assessment.
Martinas fair take on Williams behavior (in The NY Times no less) is a stake to the heart of Williams attempts to make this about race, or feminism, or motherhood, or take your pick.
Only women are allowed to officiate at women's tennis matches.
There are two things Navratilova overlooked here, and since she was writing this in the NYT instead of a sports publication I'll cut her some slack:
1. Serena Williams has a habit of throwing these tantrums when she's losing a match. She came into this tournament overweight and out of shape, and by the time she reached the finals she was clearly out of gas. Whenever she performs badly on the court she goes into these childish rants to accomplish two things: (A) get herself a break in the action to catch her wind, and (B) pretend she's losing for reasons that have nothing to do with her own miserable performance.
2. I'm going to go with "'Roid Rage" for $400, Alex.
Thats disgusting
At least Venus had more class when her day in the sun was over.
perfect analogy
no kidding...its funner to read comments right here
The claim is that the rules on interchanges between player and official are applied unevenly between men and womens matches. I have no idea if the charge is fair or not.
9 Sept: Spectator: Serena Williams isnt the victim of sexism shes just a sore loser
by Freddy Gray
Serena Williamss epic tantrum in last nights US Open final wasnt a noble stand against racism or sexism. It wasnt about her being black, or a woman, or a mother although of course it very quickly became about that, as tweeters and sports hacks climbed over each other to defend the Queen of Womens tennis because she is a famous mega brand and her brand is about being black, a woman, and a mother.
But in our hearts we all know what really happened. Williams behaved like a bad loser then pretended to be a victim of societal injustice to justify her bratty performance. It was a pathetic and depressing spectacle. The most depressing and pathetic part was that the New York crowd so keen to see their heroine win indulged and encouraged her self-pitying, whining, angry display. The fans cheered her on as she berated the umpire Carlos Ramos. His sin? Having the temerity to try to do his job...
Serena Williams can lose without behaving like diva brat, but sometimes she cant, and when she loses her temper she is a fairly awful human being. She tried to have it both ways too bigging up her opponent, saying her row shouldnt distract from Naomi Osakas achievement. Her admirers said that showed amazing grace. But it didnt. Amazing grace would have been not to turn the whole match into a spectacle of her self-importance...
https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/09/serena-williams-isnt-the-victim-of-sexism-shes-just-a-sore-loser/
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