Inher first television interview since the dramatic 2018 U.S. Open women’s singles finalearlier this month,Serena Williamsdoubled down on her denialthat she was cheating during the match.
During the first set of the final on Sept. 8, the tennis star was given a violation from chair umpire Carlos Ramos for illegal coaching from coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Mouratoglou said later, “I’m honest, I was coaching. I don’t think she looked at me so that’s why she didn’t even think I was.”
After the violation, Williams told Ramos on court, “I don’t cheat to win, I’d rather lose. I’m just letting you know.”
Williams lost the match to Naomi Osaka, 20, after a total of three violations — including one for smashing her racket — which added up to a fine of $17,000. She later saidshe felt the entire incident was “sexist.”
“I just don’t understand,” Williams toldThe Projectwhile addressing male punishments for similar actions in the interview, which will air this Sunday. “If you’re female you should be able to do even half of what a guy can do.”
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.Julio Cortez/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Juergen Hasenkopf/BPI/REX/Shutterstock
“She is a literal walking, breathing science experiment at how the world relates to people that are perceived as less than or marginalized,” Wambach continued. “What Serena got herself into, and what the world has witnessed, and what this guy, this umpire, has put out into the universe was just a microcosm of what’s been happening in our culture.”
source: people.com
