In support of Serena Williams, Billie Jean King slams sexist double standard in tennis
Tennis legend spoke out in blistering op-ed after U.S. Open
Tennis legend spoke out in blistering op-ed after U.S. Open
Tennis legend spoke out in blistering op-ed after U.S. Open
Serena Williams against Naomi Osaka on Saturday after a controversial clash with the tennis match’s umpire, Carlos Ramos. Now, , fellow tennis great Billie Jean King has stood up for Williams and spoken out against what she calls a sexist double standard in tennis.
During the match, for illegal coaching from her player box, a second penalty for slamming her racket on the court and a third for apparently verbally abusing the umpire.
"You will never, ever, ever be on another court of mine as long as you live," Williams told him. "You are the liar. When are you going to give me my apology? You owe me an apology. Say it. Say you’re sorry. And you stole a point from me. You’re a thief, too!"
She was later for breaking the violations.
After the match, Williams in her sport at a press conference.
"I'm here fighting for women's rights and women's equality. And for me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, made me feel like it was a sexist remark,” she said. “He's never taken a game from a man because he said 'thief.' For me, it blew my mind."
The heads of the Women’s Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association , saying umpires treat men and women differently on the court, and King agrees. In her op-ed, she argued Williams was treated differently from male players, .
“Ultimately, a woman was penalized for standing up for herself,” King wrote. “A woman faced down sexism, and the match went on.”
King noted women are “taught to be perfect” but shouldn’t be held to an impossible standard. “I found myself in similar situations in my career; once, I even walked off the court in protest. It wasn’t my proudest moment, but it may have been one of my more powerful ones,” King wrote.
“I understand what motivated Williams to do what she did. And I hope every single girl and woman watching yesterday’s match realizes they should always stand up for themselves and for what they believe is right. Nothing will ever change if they don’t.”