Serena Williams meltdown: From smashing racket to calling umpire thief, how champion player broke down to bits
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title on Saturday as her idol Serena Williams angrily imploded, calling the chair umpire in the US Open final "a thief".
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title on Saturday as her idol Serena Williams angrily imploded, calling the chair umpire in the US Open final "a thief".
Osaka, 20, triumphed 6-2, 6-4 in the match marred by Williams's second set outburst, the American enraged by umpire Carlos Ramos's warning for receiving coaching from her box.
Here is a sequence of Serena's meltdown in the US Open 2018 final:
A final against 20-year-old Naomi Osaka was expected to be a cake walk for Serena Williams. A victory would allow her to tie Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles. Meanwhile, the match was going to be special for the Japanese because she has been idolizing Serena since the age of six. PC: AFP
Unexpectedly, it was Naomi who had the game in control and with an ease, she sealed the first set 6-2. That certainly had frustrated the former World No. 1, Serena. PC: AFP
Things turned ugly for Serena when Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos handed her a code violation in the second game of the second set after he spotted the American's coach Patrick Mouratoglou making some hand signals from the player's box. PC: AFP
Serena began to fight back in the second set when she broke Osaka's serve to go 3-1 up. However, Osaka broke back in the next game and the American smashed her racket in frustration, earning a second code violation and a one-point deduction from Ramos. PC: AFP
The deduction enraged Serena and she screamed at Ramos at the next changeover, drawing the game penalty after she called him a thief. PC: AFP
Serena eventually lost the final 6-2, 6-4 and Naomi scripted history as she became Japan’s first Grand Slam singles champion. PC: AFP
The chaotic finish filled with screaming, tears and jeers cast a cloud over what should have been Osaka's shining moment. PC: AFP
Standing on the podium, Osaka heard only boos as an angry crowd vent out their frustration on Portuguese umpire Ramos, who stood to the side. PC: Reuters
Speaking first to the crowd, runners up Serena said, “I just want to tell you guys, she played well, and this is her first Grand Slam. … (crowd applause) … And I know you guys were here rooting, and I was rooting, too. But let’s make this the best moment we can, and we’ll get through it. Let’s give everyone the credit where credit’s due. Let’s not boo anymore. We’re going to get through this, and let’s be positive. So congratulations, Naomi. No more booing. I hope to continue to go and play here again. We’ll see. It’s been a tough year for me.” PC: AFP
“I know everyone was cheering for her and I’m sorry it had to end like this,” said Osaka. "It was always my dream to play Serena in the U.S. Open finals. I’m really grateful I was able to play with you,” 20-year-old US Open 2018 champion Naomi said. PC: Reuters