Serena hit with $17,000 fine for US Open code violations

Reuters | Published: September 10, 2018 12:01:14 | Updated: September 11, 2018 19:07:16

Serena Williams of the United States yells at chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the women's final of the 2018 US Open — USA Todays Sports photo via Reuters

Serena Williams has been fined $17,000 for the code violations she received during the US Open final, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Sunday.

During Saturday’s match, which she lost 6-2 6-4 to Japan’s Naomi Osaka, Williams, was handed a coaching violation and a point penalty for breaking her racquet before a heated argument with umpire Carlos Ramos ended with her losing a game.

The tournament referee’s office fined the former world number one $10,000 for the “verbal abuse” of Ramos, $4,000 for being warned for coaching, and $3,000 for smashing her racket.

Williams, who was seeking a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title on Saturday, vigorously disputed each of the violations during the match.

She demanded Ramos apologise for handing her a coaching violation and later called the umpire a “thief” for giving her a point penalty.