Under the new guidelines, players are required to handle their towels during play to minimize contact with the balls. This recent change has led to an argument between Serena Williams and the presiding referee during her match against Maria Sakkari at the Western & Southern Open.
Serena Williams lost the round of 16 draw to Maria Sakkari on Tuesday in what proved to be an unusual night for her. During the match, the presiding referee handed Williams a timing violation for taking too long between points. As a result of this violation, she was given a point penalty. Williams retorted that since she has to walk aside to get her towel, the process naturally took longer.
Because Williams disagreed with the presidential referee
She felt that the presiding referee should have given her a mild warning rather than directly giving her a time violation. “I take my towels, it’s not fair. You should tell me on the sidelines next time if I need to play faster. You didn’t even give me a warning “, Williams She said to the presiding referee during the break between matches.
To this, the referee president Aurélie Tourte responded by saying: “I can’t give you a slight warning.” However, Williams asked for a warning next time. “I’m actually a very fast player. Tell me next time. I finished. Thank you!” Serena concluded by saying.
Unusual day for Serena Williams
The incident occurred in the first set, with Williams serving at 5-3, 0-30. It was a crucial phase of the game, and Williams went 0-40 down after the violation and their serve was soon broken. He held out to win the set but lost the game 7-5, 6-7 (5), 1-6.
On the ATP side, we have seen the time limit start once the player takes the towel and not immediately after the point ends. However, there is no separate rule as such and it depends on the chair judge in a specific match situation.
Williams had a chance to end the game in the second set and were only two points away from victory. It was serving for the match. Sakkari then found sudden inspiration and came back from there. Williams avoided a bagel in the third set. The 23-time Grand Slam was also visibly struggling with fitness in the third set.
Serena Williams will now resume her bid for the 24th Grand Slam title at the start of the US Open this weekend.
