20-year-old Osaka upset Williams to take home the first major victory of her pro career, in doing so, Osaka becomes the first Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam final.
The win didn’t come without controversy as Williams was penalised with three code violations.
The first violation came in the 5th game of the first set where the umpire deemed hand movements coming from Serena’s box were in violation of coaching.
Osaka was dominant taking the first set 6-2.
It was in the second set that it all fell apart for Serena, smashing a racquet and demanding an apology from the umpire.
“You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life! I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right for her,” Williams told Ramos on the court. “I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose.”
Serena then called the umpire “a thief” which led to her third code violation and saw a game be taken away from her.
At that point, Williams called for the tournament referee and supervisor, and complained that her punishment was not fair.
“There are men out here that do a lot worse, but because I’m a woman, because I’m a woman you’re going to take this away from me?” she said. “That is not right.”
Osaka finished the match with a service winner, and covered her eyes with her visor. The two embraced at the net, and then Williams started back at Ramos again: “Can I get an apology?”
The ceremony didn’t come without its own controversy, with the crowd booing for the most part.
“No more booing,” Serena Williams pleaded with the crowd, asking them to appreciate Osaka’s feat.
Naomi Osaka began to cry, but it didn’t appear to be the tears of joy typical of a champion.
