• Home
• /
• Opinion

Don't cry for Serena, Naomi is a better role model

Some fans were left confused with Serena's rant against sexism, others were shocked. We say the great American was a sore loser.

Shed no tears for Serena Williams, salute the worthy winner Naomi Osaka, who made history as the first Japanese woman to win a tennis Grand Slam at the US Open on Saturday. Naomi produced better all-round tennis against her icon, kept her composure and did not allow herself to be distracted from her game, while Serena lost her cool and the title she was destined to throw away. Some fans were left confused with Serena's rant against sexism, others were shocked. We say the great American was a sore loser.
Racism and sexism are but bogeys when the chips are down. Indeed they were for Serena who found it hard to dominate the match. Amazing Grace won in straight sets against Sloppy Grudge in the end. It looked easy for Naomi until Serena self-destructed to make it look silly, even comical. Let's get this straight and out of the way before we talk of the disrepute Serena has brought to the sport and the disrespect she showed to those watching, including the chair umpire who she tried to bully.
She may be a 23-time singles Grand Slam winner, but the American's threat to keep Carlos Ramos from officiating in any matches she plays in the future reeked of elitism. The powerful American player may have done wonders for women's tennis by going against convention but cannot justify her actions on court against Naomi who played fluent tennis in mind and body. The Japanese player's performance was without guile, it was refreshing and elegant while Serena looked and tried desperately to be the villain, clinging to the attention she has garnered over two decades as a torch-bearer for women's tennis.
The row she raked up in the second set could have been dispensed with for a better losing score at least. So she protested after she was docked a point for allowing her coach from getting into the act, broke a racket and called the umpire a thief, for which she was penalised a game. She said she never cheated and even brought her baby daughter into the argument. "I have a daughter and I stand for what's right for her." Stand down, she should, and it would help if she takes some baby steps to pick up some humility after this deserving loss to a better player.