General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Billie Jean King: "Thank you Serena Williams for calling out double standard-More voices needed..." [View all]Neither did I - and I watched this match with many a group of women and we all were disappointed and screamed in disappointment and disgust when she called first the mom/baby card and then the woman card.
Her coach was coaching and he even admitted it. The rules are the rules. Whether she agreed or had seen it or not or its done all the time and men get passes wasnt relevant. She should have accepted the initial penalty and kept playing and being a good sport and playing the game. But abusing a racket? That is also against rules and she knows it. It bad sportsmanship and against the rules. She chose to do it. She then decided to keep going and verbally abuse and accuse and call an umpire a thief. Holy shit. She lost it. She was out of control. I was embarrassed and sick seeing this. Exhibit A in bad sportsmanship and then calling out the accusation of sexism. Even if it was sexism, she was wrong. She should have after being called on the coaching penalty kept her cool and shown she is the best tennis player. Instead she started channeling Cardi B and had no self control and even the stats showed what anybody who plays tennis saw, which is Osaka was outplaying Serena. Osaka was calm and cool.
Serena lost it and lost it all and has only herself o blame. Billie Jean King is correct in that there is sexism in tennis as there is in many sports. But in this case, it was Serena who messed up. The Ump Ramos could be the biggest sexist mofo on the planet and it doesnt matter. He made a call on coaching penalty (that was happening and was his call to make) and right or wrong, Serena had a choice and she made the really wrong choice.
I lost a lot of respect for Serena last night and she lost more than the match and tournament- she lost the ability to be the top role model for young women athletes in the battle against sexism.
That was also a huge loss for us all.