The confrontation between Serena Williams and the chair umpire at the United States Open women’s final Saturday included a smashed racket and her accusations that he was a “thief.” But it started quietly, with a warning for breaking a rule that many fans only barely understand.
What’s the rule?
In short, players aren’t allowed to be coached during a Grand Slam match. According to the 2018 Grand Slam rule book: “Players shall not receive coaching during a match (including the warm-up).”
What happened on Saturday?
The chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, known for being a stickler, spotted Williams’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, gesturing in the stands.