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Celebrities Rally Behind Serena Williams After Umpire Issues 'Sexist' Penalty at the U.S. Open


The U.S. Open on Saturday (September 8) took an emotional turn for Serena Williams, who was accused of cheating by chair umpire Carlos Ramos. You can read a rundown of what happened here, but the abridged version is this: Ramos alleged Williams was receiving coaching during the game, which isn’t allowed. Williams denied this and broke her racket in frustration. This resulted in Ramos issuing Williams a point penalty, putting her opponent, Naomi Osaka, just a few serves away from winning the Grand Slam. Williams called Ramos a “thief,” which resulted in another violation for “verbal abuse.” Osaka ultimately ended up winning the tournament.

In the aftermath, celebrities and other fans of Williams showed an outpouring of support for the tennis great after what she and others have called the ‘sexist’ penalties. To be clear, people aren’t necessarily upset that Williams lost the match; in fact, the icon said herself in a post-match press conference she doesn’t know if she would’ve defeated Osaka had the point penalty not happened.

Scroll through for some of the most supportive social media posts celebs and other notable figures have put up to show their solidarity with Williams.

Alicia Keys

“.@serenawilliams You are THE epitome of grace and prowess!!!,” she posted on Twitter. “You are an inspiration to all of us. Your purpose to be a leader and a light is a gift to the world!! We love you and thank you for sharing your greatness and spirit ! Congratulations Queen!!! ??????????✨✨”

Nicki Minaj

Amy Schumer

PHOTO: Instagram

Alicia Keys

Sallie Krawcheck

Janelle Monáe

Ellen DeGeneres

Roxane Gay

Shonda Rimes

Victoria Azarenka

Hayley Wickenheiser

Reese Witherspoon

Billie Jean King

Male tennis pros also started to tweet in solidarity with Williams:

James Blake

Andy Roddick

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Serena Williams Says the Game-Losing Penalty Against Her at the U.S. Open Was 'Sexist'


The U.S. Open ended in controversy on Saturday (September 8) after the chair umpire accused Serena Williams of cheating. If you’re unfamiliar with what happened, here’s a quick backstory: This weekend’s game first took a turn when Carlos Ramos, the umpire, claimed Williams was receiving coaching from the box—a violation she took great offense to. “I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose,” Williams told Ramos.

She was docked for the incident, and received a second violation after she broke her racket in frustration. This resulted in Ramos issuing a point penalty to Williams, which, naturally, upset her. “You stole a point from me. You’re a thief, too,” Williams told Ramos, who then gave her a third violation and game penalty that put her opponent, Naomi Osaka, only a few serves away from a Grand Slam win. Osaka went on to win the match—and the tournament.

According to BuzzFeed, Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted to coaching Williams but didn’t think she was looking at him; he also suggested Ramos has inconsistently applied this rule. That, ultimately, is why many fans are angry about this incident: Many think Ramos was unfairly harsh toward Williams, taking a point away from her for calling him a “thief,” as well as docking her for coaching, when male tennis players have said much worse and been coached with no punishment.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King called out this hypocrisy shortly after the U.S. Open ended. “When a woman is emotional, she’s ‘hysterical’ and she’s penalized for it. When a man does the same, he’s ‘outspoken’ & and there are no repercussions. Thank you, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same,” she tweeted. In an earlier message, she wrote, “A player was penalized for the actions of her coach. This should not happen.”

And now Williams herself is commenting on what happened. During a press conference following the U.S. Open, she said Ramos’ penalties felt sexist.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things, and I’m here fighting for women’s rights and women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff,” she said. “For me to say ‘thief,’ and for him to take a game? It made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He’s never took a game from a man ’cause they said ‘thief.’ For me, it blows my mind.”

She continued, “But I’m gonna continue to fight for women… The fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions and wants to express themselves, and they want to be a strong woman. And they’re gonna be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn’t work out for me, but it’s gonna work out for the next person.”

See her comments for yourself, below. Start around the 8:38 mark:

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