Serena on a slippery slope

I’m honest. I was coaching. But I don’t think she was looking at me. We have to stop this hypocrisy. Sascha (Bajin, Osaka’s coach) was coaching too... She shouldn’t have to think about that. She should be able to express her emotions. She’s human. It’s not a big deal breaking a racquet—Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s coach

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I didn’t get coaching! You need to make an announcement. I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter! You owe me an apology... This is not fair. This has happened to me so many times. There are lot of men out here who have said a lot worse than that. I called him a thief because he stole a point from me—Serena, after being penalised

I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. 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’. For me, it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for womenRs —Serena says she was targeted because she’s a woman

When a woman is emotional, she’s ‘hysterical’ and she’s penalised for it. When a man does the same, he’s ‘outspoken’ and there are no repercussions. Thank you, Serena Williams, for calling out this double standard—Billie Jean King

Serena’s US Open implosions

2009: Semifinal against Kim Clijsters

Unranked and unseeded Clijsters, who had taken off nearly three years to have her first child and had returned just weeks before, won the first set with Williams receiving a warning for racquet abuse. Williams was serving to force a tiebreaker at 5-6 in the second set when she was called for a foot fault on a second serve, giving Clijsters double match point. Serena argued briefly, went back to the service line then directed a venomous rant at the offending lineswoman including a threat to “shove this ball down your throat.” The chair umpire assessed a point penalty for the outburst — giving Clijsters the match.

2011: Final against Samantha Stosur

Chair umpire Eva Asderaki warned Williams for hindering opponent Stosur for shouting “come on” before the Australian had reached the ball. An angry Williams — who confused Asderaki with the umpire who was in the chair for the Clijsters match — verbally attacked her during the changeover. “If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way,” she said. “Because you’re out of control. You’re a hater and you’re just... unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser. You give a code violation because I expressed who I am? We’re in America last I checked.” AFP