It was within minutes of Novak Djokovic winning the men's US Open final that the WTA Tour issued a statement undermining the integrity of the umpire involved the fractious women's equivalent 24 hours earlier.
WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon made reference to male and female players receiving the same treatment, and complained that 'we do not believe that this was done last night,' targeting Portuguese official Carlos Ramos.
So no sooner had Djokovic completed his remarkable summer revival, through a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory over Juan Martin del Potro, than he was having address the controversy that dominated the finals weekend.
Novak Djokovic has empathised with both umpire Carlos Ramos and Serena Williams
Djokovic empathised with both the umpire and Williams, but offered the view that 'maybe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit.'
However he was less sympathetic on the wider point of whether men and women players are treated differently by those in the chair.
'I don't see things as Mr Simon does, I really don't,' said Djokovic. 'I think men and women are, you know, treated in this way or the other way depending on the situation. It's hard to generalise things, really. I don't see it's necessary really to debate that.'
The 31-year-old Serb has been instrumental in moves this year to try and establish a union for male players, but it is starting to look like the need for an international body to promote and protect umpires and line judges is more urgent.
However, Djokovic does not think women are treated differently from men in tennis
Over the weekend Ramos was criticised by Katrina Adams, US Tennis Association President, and Simon joined the pile-in on a highly respected umpire of long standing, who was continuing to lie low on Monday.
'Yesterday also brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches,' he said.
'The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same. We do not believe that this was done last night.'
He then put his organisation on a collision course with Wimbledon by calling for coaching restrictions to be scrapped. The All England Club are virulently opposed to taking away the tennis fundamental that 'you are out there on your own'.
WTA chief Steve Simon believes that Williams was not treated the same as male players
'We also think the issue of coaching needs to be addressed and should be allowed across the sport,' said Smith.' The WTA supports coaching through its on-court coaching rule, but further review is needed.'
As seen when Wimbledon adapted its seeding policy to suit her this summer, this is a sport always open to accommodating the needs of its superstars. An impression has been left of being unhealthily in thrall to Williams.
Ramos - who earned just for $450 for sitting in the final - did, however, on Sunday night garner some support from officialdom when the International Tennis Federation backed him up.
'Carlos Ramos is one of the most experienced and respected umpires in tennis,' read a statement.'
Mr. Ramos' decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules and were re-affirmed by the US Open's decision to fine Serena Williams for the three offences.
Carlos Ramos garnered some support from officialdom when the ITF backed him up on Sunday
'It is understandable that this high profile and regrettable incident should provoke debate. At the same time, it is important to remember that Mr. Ramos undertook his duties as an official according to the relevant rule book and acted at all times with professionalism and integrity.'
There were already signs that not everyone is buying into the narrative of Williams and her cheerleaders, such as Billie Jean King.
Former British No 1 and current Fed Cup Captain Anne Keothavong - whose brother James is one of the world's foremost umpires - tweeted: 'Sexism is a problem in the wider picture of tennis but I don't believe the decisions Carlos Ramos made that night had anything to do with it. He was just doing his job.'
British player Tara Moore also made the point that a coaching free-for-all it would disadvantage lower ranked players with less financial clout.
'If coaching was allowed at all events, it would make it even more of an elitist sport...what about those players who are not top 80 who can't afford to travel with a coach?' she asked.
Patrick Mouratoglou admitted after the final that he had been giving signals to Williams
Australian Richard Ings, the former top international umpire and head of rules for the ATP, backed Ramos to the hilt and told the BBC: 'He handled that match absolutely perfectly. He saw violations and he had the courage of his convictions to call them when he saw them. I support him 110 per cent. It was one of the best officiating jobs that I've seen in years.'
Simon has previous in trying to stay onside with superstars, as does King. Both were highly supportive of Maria Sharapova when she got banned for doping, even though that was not a stance shared by most rank-and-file players of the WTA Tour, which is a members' organisation.
It all adds to the current sense of chaos and flux at the top of the game. That includes the swirling currents on the men's side, which sees different team events, including the new Davis Cup format, jostling for position.
From that standpoint it is not hard to see why Djokovic is keen on establishing a union purely to look after the interests of players.
The American 23-time grand slam champion believes there was sexism at play on Saturday
As an individual he has flourished since losing at the French Open, and he credited a restorative walk in the mountains in the south of France with his wife that followed Roland Garros for sparking the turnaround.
'I had to kind of disconnect a little bit,' he said after beating del Potro. 'I went hiking with my wife for five days in the French mountains. We just isolated ourselves and took things from a different perspective. Ever since then, the tennis is completely different for me. In terms of results, I played finals of Queen's, won Wimbledon, won Cincinnati, and won US Open. I guess we'll be hiking some more very soon.
'We went up Mount Victoire. It was inspiration to many of the famous Renaissance painters. I strongly recommend you to climb it. Some great things will happen in your life.
Djokovic is keen on establishing a union purely to look after the interests of players
'I remember one moment particularly when we climbed that mountain. It was pretty high. We reached the top after three hours. We sat down and we just looked at the world from that perspective, just kind of breathed in the new inspiration, new motivation.
'I thought of tennis, thought of the emotion that tennis provokes in me. It was all positives. I just felt like I had a new breath for this sport.'
His wife Jelena's ardent support for him in the stands on Sunday night was a sharp contrast to the obvious indifference she showed when he lost the 2016 final against Stan Wawrinka.
Renewed domestic harmony appears to have been a major factor in his comeback, and it would be no surprise if he ends the year back as world No 1.
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/10/novak-djokovic-empathises-with-both-umpire-serena-williams-but-doesnt-believe-sexism-was-at-play/
Main photo article It was within minutes of Novak Djokovic winning the men’s US Open final that the WTA Tour issued a statement undermining the integrity of the umpire involved the fractious women’s equivalent 24 hours earlier.
WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon made reference to male and female players...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/10/18/4FF72BE300000578-0-image-a-13_1536601395336.jpg
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