Source: Scott Barbour / Getty
37-year-old tennis star Serena Williams covers the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar, with stunning poses that are unaltered. In addition to these photos, Serena goes into great detail about the 2018 U.S. Open.
Williams was criticized for her on-court behavior at the 2018 U.S. Open and her behavior after she had loss. She received a violation by the umpire for her coach signaling something she denies doing.
“I approach him and emphatically state the truth: that I wasn’t looking at my coach. I don’t cheat to win. I’d rather lose,” she recalls saying. “I walk back to the court and lose the next point. I smash my racket in frustration; he issues another violation and gives a point to my opponent. I feel passionately compelled to stand up for myself. I call him a thief; I again demand an apology. I tell him he is penalizing me for being a woman. He responds by issuing a third violation and takes a game from me.”
Williams does admit that her opponent Naomi Osaka “simply played better”. She felt that she was defeated and disrespected by a sport that she loves. “Why can’t I express my frustrations like everyone else? If I were a man, would I be in this situation? What makes me so different? Is it because I’m a woman?,” Serena states. Within the magazine Serena also continues to write about sexism she sees in the sport.
Williams believed that this situation ruined something that should have been really great and amazing for opponent Naomi. This would have been Naomi’s first Grand Slam title. Williams does continue to say that she wrote a letter to Naomi Osaka apologizing about what happened and how she is excited for her.
Serena Williams was recently charged a fine of $10,000 for damaging Wimbledon Court.
