By T. Avineshwaran
You may call Williams a crybaby, whiner or sore loser but no one can take away the fact that she has changed the women's circuit and she is the greatest of all time. With all the adversities she faced, her achievements instill some belief for minorities and women. This incident may leave a stain, but we cannot take away the fact that she is an inspiration for many around the world.
Meltdowns are part and parcel of sports. It makes or breaks an athlete. Heck, even personalities who are the 'Dons' of their disciplines cannot control their emotions.
It does leave a bitter taste in your tongue, but sometimes, in sports, emotions are bound to get the better of you. You realise it, you analyse it, and then you decide your next course of action.
After all, we are just human beings. Recently, former world number one and Tennis great Serena Williams lost the U.S. Open final against Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka, who became the first Japanese player to win the U.S. Open and also a Grand Slam.
However, what was supposed to be a historical moment for Osaka was tainted by a meltdown that has got the whole world talking. It was not epic as Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, but her words were left ringing throughout the court and questioned the sanctity of the sport. Osaka was a 20-year-old, who dreamt of playing the greatest of all time in the Flushing Meadows and it was more than a dream as she won the coveted U.S. Open.
What should be a night to laud her, boos greeted Osaka’s victory ceremony, and she was forced to apologise for something she was not responsible for.
Here is a recap of what happened. During the second set of the final match, which was dominated by Osaka, Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou made a hand gesture towards the 36-year-old. In the rule books, "communication of any kind" between player and coach is banned in Grand Slams.
Williams, who did not see the gesture, was then called by the umpire Carlos Ramos, who known for his strict officiating, and gave her a warning for coaching. After the match, Mouratoglou admitted to coaching.
Livid with the decision given by Ramos, Williams denied the warning and said she has never cheated in her life. She upped the ante by saying that she has a daughter and stands what is right for her.
"For you to attack my character, it is wrong. You owe me an apology."
During the break, Williams continued firing salvos at Ramos by warning that he will never be in another court of her as long as he lives and he is a liar.
Three games later, Osaka was given a point when Williams was given another code violation for smashing her racquet.
At the next change of ends, Williams continued to rant, calling Ramos a "liar", telling him to "say you are sorry" and describing him as a "thief" and "cheater" for awarding a point to Osaka.
Not happy with the decision, she called the referee and told him, "You know how many other men do things, I do not do much worse than that. Lots of men out there who do a lot of things. Because I am a woman, you are going to take this away from me."
It was toxic, and boos echoed the Flushing Meadows. For a young player who just won one of the biggest tennis tournaments against her idol, she deserved more than that. She did not deserve such a reception for such a meltdown. She should have been celebrated, but it is the drama that dominated the headlines.
During the victory ceremony, Osaka said she was sorry that the match had to end like that. What was supposed to be her moment, was overshadowed by such an incident. Williams did show some class by comforting the young Osaka and urging the crowd to stop booing.
For me, I did not agree with what Williams did. She could have shown some restraint and class. Osaka dominated the veteran throughout the match, and Williams' main highlight was undoubtedly the meltdown. One would have wished for her ferocious groundstrokes, but Williams could not find an answer against Osaka's aces and athletic performance.
Williams dominated the women's circuit for a very long time, and now there is a young lion, who is on her way to become the next star in the tennis circuit. Imagine someone who is returning everything fired her direction with amazing consistency. The final was the match to announce Osaka's brilliance.
But there is a point raised by Williams that piqued my interest.
"You know how many other men do things, and I do not do much worse than that. Lots of men out there who do a lot of things. Because I am a woman, you are going to take this away from me."
To be fair to her, Williams has gone through trials and tribulations throughout her career. In 2001, at the Indian Wells tournament, spectators hurled the word "Nxxxa" at the Williamses and told her father, Richard Williams, “I wish it was ’75, we would skin you alive.”
Being oppressed throughout their lives, this meltdown to some is not a surprise. Because they have been pressed throughout their lives, they feel the need to vent out. I discussed with my friend about the incident, and he said he was not surprised to see Williams' reaction. To the minorities and the oppressed, it feels justified. He said it happens everywhere, even in Malaysia.
Williams, even though revered in the tennis circuit, is often targeted and punished under the guise of respect or professionalism in a way that her white and male colleagues are not. The rules of tennis mean one thing for Williams and another for everyone else. She knows it, and she has had enough of it.
Also, in the men's circuit, you see players venting and berating at umpires and ballboys, but their warning seems like a slap on the wrist. It is happening till today, and Williams feels aggrieved that women are demanded to show some poise and glamour and not passion, aggression and fervour like the so-called men.
This meltdown may raise some awareness, but questions will also be asked about Williams. As a senior player, she could have shown some restraint. As a mother, maybe she could have shown some patience and allowed Osaka to earn plaudits but different people have different ways of conveying emotions. In this case, I do not agree with Williams did, but when a character is questioned, obviously one would feel the need to defend their integrity.
It is not only Williams. Many other athletes who feel aggrieved with decisions and at times, because they are put down for their skin colour, they feel the need to say it out and make it known to the world. Some take it into their stride, and some just let it all out.
You may call Williams a crybaby, whiner or sore loser but no one can take away the fact that she has changed the women's circuit and she is the greatest of all times. With all the adversities she faced, her achievements instill some belief for minorities and women. This incident may leave a stain, but we cannot take away the fact that she is an inspiration for many around the world.
I am sure she would look back at the incident and ponder what should be done to make sure the game is fair for everyone. I am sure this meltdown will lead to questions and calls for equality and fairness. Maybe it is time for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to crack the whip on fairness.
Williams’s claim that female players are policed more than male players is difficult to prove. At this year’s Open, men have received 23 fines for code violations, compared with nine for women. But there are some who are let off the hook. Maybe umpires need to be sterner and be consistent about code violations.
Or athletes should take the initiative to keep their emotions in check. But in tournaments like this, there are different egos, and it is hard to control their style of play or emotions. One thing is for sure, Williams’ rant will be scrutinised, and there will be lots of heated discussions in the months to come. To Williams, she wants a better future for the likes of Osaka. She wants women to be known for their talent, and not be recognised as a marketing tool.
Williams has been doing that for years but looks like she is up for another battle, and her only aim is to win it her way. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
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