Black Tennis Pros

Serena Williams during 2018 U.S. Open in disagreement with Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos after being accused of cheating.

(Associated Press) Almost a full 12 months later, with first-round play beginning Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that 1-hour, 19-minute contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus, according to the Associated Press.

“We’ve decided that there are over 900 other matches and Carlos, for 2019, will not be in the chair for a Williams sisters match,” U.S. Tennis Association executive Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. “We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes.”

Says Allaster: “I understand it’s polarizing, but ultimately, we have to look at how tennis competes and is relevant. ... Access is a key part of it; engagement with fans that want to hear from the players and coaches.”

Says Patrick Mouratoglou: “I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed.”  Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year’s final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.   Full story here.

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Serena Williams, USA and Naomi Osaka, Japan, 2018 U.S. Open Final

Today was a complicated, gratifying and honoring of the God we serve day for Serena Williams.

As all of us who reside in the faith community know, the Grace of God is supreme, and manifesting that same Grace that has been bestowed upon us time after time is paramount.

After receiving a penalty when being accused of a coaching violation by Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos, Serena became very upset with what she saw as not only an attack on her character, but a sexist action due to the fact that MANY men have done a lot worse but have never been penalized in the manner that she was.

Serena was obviously upset with Ramos and his actions, but it appeared that the unrealistic characterization of her bothered her most. After calling upon Tournament Referee Brian Earley to assist in sorting out the disagreement, Serena began to pull her composure together and eventually restarted play. Shortly thereafter Naomi Osaka prevailed.

As the championship crowning festivities introductions began, the fans booed very obviously and loudly, a first for me! Eventually Serena spoke and quelled the boos. "I don’t want to be rude. She played well. Let’s make this the best moment we can, let’s not boo any more."

.@serenawilliams instructs crowd to stop booing and celebrate @Naomi_Osaka_'s moment of winning her first grand slam. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/LOAyB42OmQ

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) September 8, 2018

Serena also embraced and attempted to comfort a mixed-emotions Osaka... a very powerful moment.

From boos to cheers. An emotional and powerful moment for Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams at the US Open podium. (🔊⬆️) pic.twitter.com/oTg6SORjXe

— ESPN (@espn) September 8, 2018

Whatever anyone's thoughts or feelings with regard to the coaching accusation and penalization, one definite truth shone brightly in the midst of the drama. Serena's respect for, and desire to see the 2018 U.S. Open Champion Naomi Osaka celebrated, far outweighed all else that occurred during the match.

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