Tennis Fans Erupt Over Serena Williams' Penalty-Filled US Open Final Loss to Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams fans erupted on Saturday after the six-time U.S. Open champion lost the final to Japan’s Naomi Osaka, 6-2, 6-4, after being penalized both a point and a whole game in a dispute with chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

“This is ridiculous! Serena has been robbed!” HuffPost writer Yashar Ali tweeted (then subsequently deleted).

“What hasn’t changed is the way Serena Williams had been policed and disrespected since the moment she stepped on the court as a kid decorated with beaded braids,” added actress Anika Noni Rose.

Also Read: Billie Jean King on Serena Williams' 'Catsuit' Ban: 'Policing of Women's Bodies Must End'

Williams, who was barred from wearing a catsuit on court early in the tournament, broke down in tears in the second set as Ramos issued a series of code violations — beginning with a warning when her coach Patrick Mouratoglou signaled to her from his place in the stands, a mid-match coaching that is a violation of the rules (though seldom called by officials).

A second violation for her confrontation with Ramos led to the loss of a point. But she was docked an entire game when she confronted Ramos a second time: “You stole a point from me. You’re a thief too.”

That set the stage for Osaka, a 20-year-old who played brilliantly throughout the tournament, to serve out the second set for her first Grand Slam win.

Also Read: Tennis Fans Revolt After French Open Bans Serena Williams' 'Black Panther' Catsuit

Although Williams refused to shake Ramos’ hand after the match, she graciously congratulated Osaka, the daughter of a Japanese mother and Haitian father who has trained for years in Florida — and discouraged fans from booing during the awards ceremony.

Fans, however, were quick to cry foul for the way the match ended.

I deleted my previous tweet because people thought I was talking about the match…Naomi is amazing but this is so messed up…and so typical, the way Serena has been treated in certain quarters is so insulting https://t.co/olmhzT4TIB

— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) September 8, 2018

What hasn't changed is the way @SerenaWilliams had been policed and disrespected since the moment she stepped on the court as a kid decorated with beaded braids. #USOpen

— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) September 8, 2018

Stand up for yourself regardless of the outcome. That’s the lesson I took away from @serenawilliams today.

— Rafranz Davis (@RafranzDavis) September 8, 2018

Osaka deserves every piece of the #USOpen title, but maaaaaaan they did Serena dirty.

— Nolan Lampson (@nolanlampson) September 8, 2018

And what y’all saw today was Serena’s #eloquentrage.

— Brittney Cooper (@ProfessorCrunk) September 8, 2018

Congratulations to Naomi for playing your very best today! What happened to @serenawilliams will resonate with women everywhere—especially women of color: too often, when we speak up, we are penalized. Serena, today you gave us just one more reason to admire you as the very best!

— Juliana Stratton (@RepStratton5) September 8, 2018

After a controversial penalty against @serenawilliams at the #USOpen2018, she showed how to be a real sport, a total class act and a great champion.

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) September 8, 2018

Happy for Osaka but Serena Williams was robbed for calling a judge a thief and the real loser of this match is irony.

— Sloane Crosley (@askanyone) September 8, 2018

The booing, and the way this final ended, isn’t fair to Osaka. She deserves this moment to be a positive memory. #USOpen

— Lauren Katz (@Laur_Katz) September 8, 2018

Carlos Ramos umpiring was a disservice to this match, Serena, Naomi Osaka and the sport.

— Aaron Randle (@aaronronel) September 8, 2018

this is absolutely awful and unfair to both of them https://t.co/EwxOzaGKeM

— Rawan (@rawan) September 8, 2018

Me for Serena. #USOpen2018 pic.twitter.com/W7W5QkT8z9

— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) September 8, 2018

ESPYS Parties 2018: Snoop Dogg, Aly Raisman Kick Off Biggest Week in Sports (Updating Photos)

The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.
ESPN
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman was joined by Alison Overholt -- vice president, editor-in-chief of ESPN The Magazine and espnW - at the HEROES at the ESPYS party in Los Angeles Tuesday.
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Raisman graces the cover of ESPN the Magazine's special HEROES issue ahead of receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award with other survivors of sexual abuse committed by Larry Nassar.
The Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular Gala on Sunday night marked the start of ESPYS week as former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman joined Snoop Dogg at his Inglewood "compound" to help raise awareness about diabetes and obesity.
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Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
ESPN host Jemele Hill at the at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
Paralympic snowboarder and former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Amy Purdy was honored with the Inspirational Athlete Award, telling TheWrap that "so many people don’t even know they have diabetes so I think this is an incredible cause that raises a lot of awareness." Having overcome the loss of her legs to meningitis at age 19, Purdy is now writing her second book on inspiration, "so it is fitting to be getting an inspiration award tonight."
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Chloe Kim was also honored with an Inspirational Athlete Award after she became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal with her Halfpipe gold in Pyeongchang this year.
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Coming off the biggest season of his NFL career, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell said he wants to "encourage kids and talk to them about how to understand their bodies and be active, especially nowadays with so much technology available. I think playing sports is really important ... there’s a lot of lessons to be learned on how to take care of your body and knowing what your limits are," he added.
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Having retired in 2o12, Merriman said that "even having been done with the NFL for six years, I still love being in the gym ... There are people who didn’t have that regimen and it’s a struggle for them to stay in shape, but I always say to them ‘just stay active.'"
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No. 1 NFL draft pick Baker Mayfield was also on hand at the Sports Spectacular to combat diabetes. The 23-year-old QB said technology and video games have a lot of kids staying inside, but getting out and exercising is "great not only for physical health but for mental health too." As for heading into his rookie year with the Cleveland Browns, who went 0-16 last season, "people don’t have high expectations for us but we know what we have," he said.
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Constance Schwartz-Morini, partner and co-founder of SMAC Entertainment, was also honored with the Visionary Award for her work with clients such as NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
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US Women's National Hockey Team at HEROES at the ESPYS pre-party event in LA

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Sports Spectacular Gala launches ESPYS week events, as ESPN the Magazine spotlights bravery and philanthropy at the HEROES party

The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.

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ESPYS Parties 2018: Snoop Dogg, Aly Raisman Kick Off Biggest Week in Sports (Updating Photos)

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