The tennis umpire engulfed in the Serena Williams controversy has spoken out three days after the chaotic US Open women's final.
"I'm fine, given the circumstances,’’ Carlos Ramos, the umpire, on Tuesday told Tribuna Expresso in his native Portugal. “It's a delicate situation, but 'a la carte' arbitration does not exist. Do not worry about me!"
Ramos told the newspaper that he has received hundreds of messages of support from family members and current and former players. According to the author of the article, Ramos is "sure of his performance" in Saturday's match but declined to say more because tennis referees are prohibited from talking publicly about match specifics.
Williams accused Ramos of sexism following her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka, during which the chair umpire issued Williams three code violations, the final one which resulted in the loss of a game.
“I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff,’’ Williams said after the match. ’’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.' "
Ramos, 47, issued Williams a warning for prohibited coaching, issued her a second warning when Williams broke her racket in frustration and issued her a final violation for verbal abuse, resulting in the loss of a game, after Williams called him a “liar’’ and a “thief.’’
Ramos, who came under intense scrutiny after Williams' comments, did not address the matter after the match.
He is scheduled to return to the umpire chair this weekend for the men's Davis Cup match between the United States and Croatia in Croatia. Play begins Friday and ends Sunday.
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