OT: US Tennis Open...

[toadfoot]

Please help me out here because a lot of different combinations of words have not been successful in my quest to find documentation or video regarding the net incident mentioned here. Do you remember the event, the year, anything that might help me? Thanx

No, sorry I don't recall. What I can tell you is that I was watching the match when it occurred. The only video I could find was a match between Williams and Azarenka at the 2015 French Open.

http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2015/May/After-Tough-Loss-to-Serena-Williams,-Azarenka-Make.aspx

In this instance Azarenka's shot was called out well after Williams had hit her shot, which she netted. The out call on Azarenka's shot was reversed, and because the original call came well after Williams shot, the point should have gone to Azarenka. Unfortunately, the umpire, Kader Nouni incorrectly sided with Williams contention that the out call came prior to Williams shot. This certainly wasn't blatant unsportsmanlike conduct by Williams, but she had to know that her stroke was well completed before what was a very late out call.
I play an average of 5 days/week, nearly 365 days/year and I can tell you that Williams had to realize the out call came well after her shot. The fact that it was a crucial point in the set makes it even more unsporting.

 

[Alibi Ike]

Serena seems to constantly challenge the rules of tennis, either with the dress code, or saying some really bad things to the umpires. Then she tells the world she is being persecuted.

Serena focused all of the attention on herself. It is an absolute shame that Naomi Osaka was humiliated by Serena.

I believe Serena believes she is bigger than tennis, and that some of the powers that be in the tennis world, and in the media, agree with her.

 

[donalddoowop]

It's absurd to compare the McEnroe or Nastase eras with today. Under today's code of conduct both would have been defaulted, fined and even suspended for some of their antics and rightfully so.

It should not have been allowed then.

 

[toadfoot]

It should not have been allowed then.

Not sure what you mean by "it". If you mean the behavior of certain players in earlier eras, you're right, but remember that professional tennis was in its relative infancy. The "open era" didn't begin until around 1968 and the ATP didn't take shape until the mid 70's. The same is true of the WTA. I suspect that the professional organizations probably were more tolerant of Nastase and other players because it brought attention to the sport.

 

[Zanzman]

I don’t see how Serena took away from Osaka if you think you were wronged in anyway for any reason would you not stand up for yourself.

 

[Alibi Ike]

Martina Navratilova criticizes Serena Williams' behavior at US Open final

Eighteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova criticized Serena Williams' conduct during her U.S. Open defeat in the pages of The New York Times Monday, writing that Williams engaged in behavior "that no one should be engaging in on the court."

Martina Navratilova criticizes Serena Williams' behavior at US Open final

 

[temery]

I don’t see how Serena took away from Osaka if you think you were wronged in anyway for any reason would you not stand up for yourself.

Her option was to appeal to the tournament referee. She did, and was told the warning stands, and to continue play.

There are rules in place that she agreed to when she entered the tournament. She has a history of on court behavior, so this is nothing new. My guess is she'll be suspended.

Earley end to U.S. Open after 39 years