Serena Williams, the greatest tennis player who has ever played the game, was assessed a game penalty on Saturday in her final against Naomi Osaka.
This came just minutes after she went after the chair umpire, who had previously assessed a coaching violation.
Serena actually demanded he make an announcement and apologize to her in front of the crowd. Chris Evert didn’t necessarily agree with the warning but did seem to agree she received advice from coach to go to the net
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 8, 2018
Williams was in tears over the penalty, which put her in a position where she was serving to stay in the match, down a set and down 5-3 in the second set. She also made the argument that men have done much worse and haven’t gotten the penalty.
Serena saying that men do worse and don’t get the penalty.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) September 8, 2018
Twitter users everywhere had very strong reactions to seeing the GOAT treated in this fashion.
Hard to watch. #SerenaWilliams
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) September 8, 2018
Watching that outburst from Serena was uncomfortable. Never seen this before
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) September 8, 2018
It’s exhausting to watch Serena consistently defend herself and her legacy. I cannot imagine what it actually feels like to carry that weight every single day.
— Master (@MasterTes) September 8, 2018
OMG he gave Osaka a whole game for Serena's 'violation'. UNREAL.
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) September 8, 2018
I feel bad for Osaka. If she wins people will say Serena was screwed. If she understandably has a tough time closing this out she blows a chance at winning the Open. And Serena is still screaming.
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) September 8, 2018
So painful to watch her cry. I know that feeling. The injustice of the situation is curdling her nerves. https://t.co/8MORZl2t8x
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 8, 2018
Williams promptly won her next game 40-0 to stay in the match.