The International Tennis Federation has backed the umpire who was called "a thief" by Serena Williams at the US Open final.
Williams was cited three times by Carlos Ramos during her loss to Naomi Osaka on Sunday (NZ time), for breaking her racket, receiving coaching signals and her "thief" taunt. She later described her treatment from Ramos as "sexist".
But in a statement, the sport's global governing body has thrown its support behind Ramos, maintaining the Portuguese umpire acted "at all times with professionalism and integrity" and stuck to the relevant rule book.
The ITF said Ramos' citations were "reaffirmed by the U.S. Open's decision to fine Serena Williams for the three offenses."
"Ramos undertook his duties as an official according to the relevant rule book and acted at all times with professionalism and integrity," it stated.
The tournament referee's office fined the former world number one US$10,000 (NZ$15,298) for the "verbal abuse" of Ramos, US$4000 (NZ$6119) for being warned for coaching and US$3000 (NZ$4589) for smashing her racket.
Newshub.
