Serena Williams' furious outburst in the US Open final has split the tennis world.
Williams was fined a total of NZ$25,700 for three code violations during the controversial match for 'verbal abuse' after calling umpire Carlos Ramos a thief, receiving on-court coaching, and smashing her racket.
The tennis great, who'smeltdown significantly overshadowed Naomi Osaka's maiden Grand Slam victory, stated afterwards that it was sexist for her to have been penalised and said it demonstrated the sport's double standards.
Naomi Osaka's victory was overshadowed by Serena Williams' actions. Photo / Getty
"But 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," Williams said in a press conference following the final.
"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'. It blows my mind."
Williams' behaviour and comments have since sparked a debate on social media with much of the tennis world split about whether the 36-year-old's chaotic outburst was acceptable.
In response to Williams' sexist claim, retired tennis player James Blake revealed on Twitter that he had said worse to an umpire.
Former tennis world No. 1, Andy Roddick, said similarly and admitted that he had never been penalised for it.
I will admit I have said worse and not gotten penalized. And I’ve also been given a “soft warning” by the ump where they tell you knock it off or I will have to give you a violation. He should have at least given her that courtesy. Sad to mar a well played final that way. https://t.co/xhBzFZX8Wq
Former professional tennis player Mardy Fish also weighed her opinion tweeting that the umpire's calls were "ridiculous".
What a wild US Open for the Ref’s. Two ridiculous calls today. I can promise you, that’s not coaching, racquet abuse no doubt, but the verbal abuse??? It’s the US Open Final!!!
Meanwhile, Australian media savaged Williams slamming the 23-time Grand Slam champion as "disgraceful" and a "spoilt brat".
"To say she's fighting for women's rights when what she is, is a bad sport. She's not fighting for women's rights, that is a joke and that's an insult to people who do fight for women's rights and go through terrible bloodshed and heartbreak," Fairfax's Caroline Wilson said.
"I know we take sport incredibly seriously these days but how seriously does Serena Williams take herself sometimes ... People have not stood up to Serena Williams."
