Serena Williams calls out sexism during US Open final, vows to 'fight for women'

American tennis player Serena Williams was up against Japan's Naomi Osaka and lost out on what would've been her 24th Grand Slam win due to 'sexism' alleges the tennis star.

The 36-year-old was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a "liar and a thief" for taking away a point from her.

"I didn't get coaching. I didn't cheat. How can you say that?" protested Williams. "You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand by what's right for her."

The crowd booed in support of Williams.

"You are a liar," she called out the umpire. "You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live. When are you going to give me my apology? Say you are sorry."

Williams took it up with tournament referee Brian Earley and called the penalties unfair: "This has happened to me too many times. This is not right. Because I’m a woman, you’re going to take this away from me?"

Serena also received tremendous support from the sports community.

During a media conference, Williams said the umpire "alleged that I was cheating, and I wasn't cheating," referring to her coach Mouratoglou's gestures towards her during the match. "I don't use on-court coaching (where it's allowed at WTA tour events)."

"I was coaching but I don't think she looked at me," Mouratoglou said. "Sash [Osaka's coach Sascha Bajin] was coaching as well. Everybody does it."

She added,



"I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. 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 taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’."

"For me, it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women," she said.

Williams also made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court during a heatwave.

"Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous," said Williams.

Cornet was accused of "unsportsmanlike behaviour" before tournament chiefs apologised, admitting the umpire made the wrong decision.

Though Williams lost the match, she vowed to continue fighting for women. "I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman."

"They're going to be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn't work out for me, but it's going to work out for the next person."

Last month, Williams black catsuit caused a stir at the French Open with the President of the tennis tournament asking Serena to "respect the game and the place" and banning the suit altogether. The suit was designed by Nike to protect against blood clots, a condition the tennis player was diagnosed with after the birth of her daughter.