Monday, 10 September 2018 03:37

Serena Williams fined $17K for rules violations at US Open

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Serena Williams was fined a total of $17,000 for three code violations during her loss to Naomi Osaka in the U.S. Open final.

On Sunday, a day after the match, the tournament referee’s office docked Williams $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of chair umpire Carlos Ramos, $4,000 for being warned for coaching, and $3,000 for breaking her racket.

The money comes out of her prize money of $1.85 million as the runner-up to Osaka, whose 6-2, 6-4 victory on Saturday made her the first tennis player from Japan to win a Grand Slam singles title

In the second set’s second game, Ramos warned Williams for getting coaching, which is against the rules in Grand Slam matches. She briefly disputed that ruling, saying cheating “is the one thing I’ve never done, ever” — although afterward, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, acknowledged he was trying to send Williams a signal.

A few games later, Williams received another warning, this time for smashing her racket, and that second violation automatically cost her a point, leading to more arguing. Eventually, Williams called Ramos “a thief,” drawing the third violation for “verbal abuse” — and costing her a game, putting Osaka ahead 5-3.

“I have never cheated in my life!” Williams told Ramos. “You owe me an apology.”

Under Article III, Section P of the Grand Slam Rule Book, “verbal abuse” is defined as “a statement about an official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.” The section says a player is subject to a fine up to $20,000 for each violation.

There are separate categories for coaching (“Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching”) and for abuse of rackets or equipment.

AP

June 16, 2025

MultiChoice explores weekly subscriptions to combat major subscriber losses

MultiChoice Group is testing a weekly subscription model as the pay-TV giant grapples with the…
June 14, 2025

Tinubu's pardon of 'Ogoni Nine' rejected by Ogoni people

Ogoni activists on Friday rejected a posthumous pardon for nine members executed three decades ago…
June 16, 2025

Harvard happiness expert: Do this easy exercise right now to stay socially connected

Renee Onque An 87-year-long Harvard study found that social fitness — maintaining your personal relationships…
June 14, 2025

Traditional healer treats the sick with snake bites

Rosalio Culit, also known as Datu Kamandag among his fellow Manobo tribe members in Surigao…
June 15, 2025

Over 100 feared dead as gunmen attack Benue communities in night of horror

At least 100 people have been killed in a brutal overnight attack on Yelewata, a…
June 16, 2025

Israel Vs Iran: Here’s what to know after Day 3

Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US officials say President Donald Trump…
June 13, 2025

Your favorite alcoholic beverage linked to deadly form of cancer, study finds

Nicole Saphier joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss the surgeon general pushing for cancer warning labels…
May 13, 2025

Nigeria's Flying Eagles qualify for World Cup after dramatic win over Senegal

Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, have secured their place at the 2025…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.