“I’m Done”: Serena Williams Miffed with Chair Umpire During Shock Defeat
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Serena Williams
Under the new guidelines, players are required to handle their towels themselves during the game to minimize contact with ball kids. This recent change led to an argument between Serena Williams and the chair umpire during her match against Maria Sakkari at the Western & Southern Open.
Serena Williams lost her Round of 16 tie against Maria Sakkari on Tuesday on what turned out to be an unusual night for her. During the match, the chair umpire handed Williams a time violation for taking too much time between points. As a result of this violation, she was handed a point penalty. Williams countered this by saying that since she has to walk to the sidelines to get her own towel, the process naturally took more time.
When you get invited to your 12381 zoom call 🙄#CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/4aG9TwpICT
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 26, 2020
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Why Williams disagreed with the chair umpire
She felt that the chair umpire should have given her a soft warning rather than directly giving her a time violation. “I’m getting my own towels, that’s not fair. You should tell me on the sidelines next time if I need to play faster. U didn’t even give me a warning,” Williams said to the chair umpire during the break between games.
To this, chair umpire Aurélie Tourte replied by saying, “I can’t give u a soft warning.” However, Williams demanded a warning the next time. “I’m actually a really fast player. Next time warn me. I’m done. Thank u!” Serena concluded by saying.
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Serena: I'm getting my own towels, that's not fair. You should tell me on the sidelines next time if I need to play faster. U didn't even give me a warning.
Umpire: I cant give u a soft warning.
Serena: I'm actually a really fast player. Next time warn me. I'm done. Thank u!
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) August 26, 2020
Unusual day for Serena Williams
The incident occurred in the first set, with Williams serving at 5-3, 0-30. It was a crucial stage in the match, and Williams went down 0-40 after the violation and her serve was soon broken. She held on to win the set but lost the match 7-5, 6-7(5), 1-6.
Back to back @CincyTennis quarterfinal appearances! 🤩 @mariasakkari defeats Williams, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-1.#CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/MS4ckFnACD
— wta (@WTA) August 26, 2020
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On the ATP side, we have seen the time limit begin once the player picks up the towel and not right after the point ends. However, there is no separate rule as such and it depends on the chair umpire in a specific match situation.
Williams had her chance to seal the match in the second set and was just two points away from victory. She was serving for the match. Sakkari then found some sudden inspiration and came back from there. Williams avoided a bagel in the third set. The 23-time Grand Slam was visibly struggling with fitness as well in the third set.
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Serena Williams will now resume her bid for a 24th Grand Slam title as the US Open begins this weekend.
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