Serena Williams fined $17K adding insult to sexist injury
Serena Williams already paid a hefty price for the events which transpired on court during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open.
But now, in addition to being issued point deductions and being forced to forfeit an entire game, she will now have to pay a fine of $17,000 for three code violations.
SEE ALSO: Sexism rears its ugly head at the U.S. Open
Since the match on Saturday night, the sport has found itself embroiled in a sexism row over the double standards at play when it comes to the difference in the way male and female players are penalised.
On Sunday, the United States Tennis Association said the tournament referee Brian Earley had ruled that Williams would be fined $4,000 for a coaching violation, $3,000 for racket abuse, and $10,000 for verbal abuse.
The CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Steve Simon released a statement in Williams' favour, stating that the match had raised an important question. "Yesterday also brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches," wrote Simon.
He added that the WTA believes there should not be a "difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women" and said that the organisation 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."
On Twitter, the outrage at this further penalisation was palpable.
Twitter user @AgentTinsley provided evidence of instances where male players had behaved in a similar way and faced no repercussions.
Djokovic Gets Into Argument With Same Umpire Carlos Ramos at French Open, multiple violations did not result in docked point or game. https://t.co/qkZv2SNE7O
— Has The Umpire Been Fired Yet? (@AgentTinsley) September 9, 2018
Here’s Andy Murray literally kicking a ball at an umpire. Does not receive a a warning, a violation penalty, a point penalty or a game penalty. https://t.co/XTzc8asMMk
— Has The Umpire Been Fired Yet? (@AgentTinsley) September 9, 2018
Others stated that Williams was not just "robbed" in a figurative sense, but literally. "Like, actually robbed. Of actual money," wrote Catherine Frederick.
Serena Williams was just fined enough money to pay off my student loans for calling someone a ‘theif.’ Meanwhile, a male tennis player smashed not one but three rackets and somehow got a smaller fine that her. #SerenaWasRobbed
(Like, actually robbed. Of actual money.)— Catherine Frederick (@CatGFred) September 10, 2018
Twitter user @Nicolejean said that Williams was not being fined for code violations but rather "for standing up for herself as a woman."
Fined for 3 code violations or fined for standing up for herself as a woman?
— Nicole Swiers (@Nicolejean) September 9, 2018
Some called for Williams to pay her $17,000 fine in pennies.
I want @serenawilliams to pay that fine in pennies
— ItsPattiWithAnI (@PattiMaribel) September 10, 2018
@serenawilliams pay the fine in pennies to further the true underlying point of your protest.
— Dr. NKrumah D. Lewis (@NKrumah_Lewis) September 10, 2018
I hope @serenawilliams sends that $17,000 fine in pennies.
— Diana (@LozanoD10) September 10, 2018
Not a bad idea, to be fair.
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