US Open Final - Osaka Defeats Williams In Controversial Final | The Sporting Base
[google-translator]

US Open Final – Osaka Defeats Williams In Controversial Final

September 9, 2018

By Lindsay
US Open Final – Osaka Defeats Williams In Controversial  Final

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.

 

Tell Us What You Think Below

March 31, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner win the 2026 Miami Open

The 2026 Miami Open completed on the weekend with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus winning on the women's side and Jannik Sinner of Italy winning on the men's side The wins for Sabalenka and Sinner were Read More

March 25, 2026

Opinion: No guarantee a coaching change will help Iga Swiatek's game

There was some interesting news coming out of south Florida this week where the Miami Open was taking place That is because according to Emily Salley of the BBC on Monday, world number three Iga Read More

March 20, 2026

Opinion: Dubai WTA Masters 1000 series event could be in jeopardy

One of the hot topics in the tennis world this week were comments made by world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Minsk, Belarus According to Matthew Abbott of the Daily Express on Thursday, Sabalenka is Read More