Umpire Carlos Ramos, who cited Serena Williams three code violations during the US Open final has been defended by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body.
Ramos, who said his “decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules”, cited Williams three times during her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka on Saturday, once for getting coaching signals, another for breaking her racket, and a third for calling Ramos a “thief”.
The call for breaking her racket cost Williams a point.
On Sunday, the tournament referee docked Williams $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of the chair umpire, $4,000 for being warned for coaching and $3,000 for breaking her racket, according to reports.
The ITF stated that Ramos’ citations were “reaffirmed by the U.S. Open’s decision to fine Serena Williams for the three offenses”, on Monday, adding “Ramos undertook his duties as an official according to the relevant rule book and acted at all times with professionalism and integrity.”