‘I did nothing wrong, but Serena Williams controversy was great for tennis,’ says Patrick Mouratoglou
Patrick Mouratoglou insists Serena Williams’ on-court row with umpire Carlos Ramos in the 2018 US Open final was ‘great for tennis’.
Mouratoglou was at the heart of the controversy, as Williams was incensed at receiving a code violation for being coached from the stands by the Frenchman.
She was adamant she had not been coached, but Mouratoglou later admitted his guilt.
What followed was Williams getting more and more agitated, before receiving a second violation and point penalty amid ugly scenes at Flushing Meadows before ultimately losing the match to Naomi Osaka.
“Of course it is not very comfortable when you are in the eye of the storm but I am not scared, I am very relaxed,” Mouratoglou is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
“I didn’t do anything wrong, I just did what all coaches do all year long.
“I think he (Ramos) did a terrible job, but we all make mistakes. Coaches coach (from the stands), we all know that.”
Mouratoglou recalls the aftermath in great detail, and admits there was a great deal of tension within Williams’ camp afterwards.
However, he remains adamant that the who affair was a great thing for tennis in general.
“Every morning we have a meeting of everyone involved,” he said.
“I came in the room and they were all there. he recalls. There was silence because everyone was feeling uncomfortable.
“I stood up and I said ‘listen guys, yesterday was the worst day ever for Team Serena because she lost and because of what happened. But it was the best day for tennis, because tennis is everywhere, it’s great for tennis. So it depends how you look at it’.
“People watch sports like they watch a movie, they want to feel emotion.
“Watching tennis today is like watching a movie full of very nice people doing nothing wrong. We lack a bit of authenticity.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP TourAndy Murray goes down swinging as Cameron Norrie scrapes battle of the Brits
Andy Murray claimed the opening set but Cameron Norrie saved nine break points and downed the former World No 1.
-
US OpenUS Open wildcards: Venus Williams and Dominic Thiem handed slots
Williams, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, will compete at the age of 42.
-
ATP TourATP Race to Turin: How things stand as tour rolls into Cincy
The ATP Race to Turin is getting tight.
-
Tennis NewsRafael Nadal cautious but excited ahead of ATP Tour return
Rafael Nadal says that he ‘has to be careful’.
-
US OpenGael Monfils’ injury woes continue as he withdraws from US Open
Gael Monfils ruled out of another Grand Slam.
-
WTA TourEmma Raducanu urged to stick with Dmitry Tursunov by former British No 1: ‘Her tactics were good’
Emma Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov off to a good start in Cincy.
-
WTA TourSimona Halep hits $40m mark in WTA career-prize money earnings, only behind Serena and Venus Williams
A look at where Simona Halep sits on some of the all-time WTA lists.
-
Tennis NewsExclusive – John Lloyd opens up on his broken marriage to Chris Evert
John Lloyd believes his marriage to Chris Evert was doomed to fail as the pair were simply too young and had the eyes of the world on them.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray vs Cameron Norrie, Rafael Nadal vs Borna Coric: Start times, TV and streaming info
What time will Andy Murray take on Cam Norrie? What about Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios’ matches?
-
WTA TourEmma Raducanu vs Victoria Azarenka: What time are the big matches in Cincy
All you need to know ahead of the Emma Raducanu-Victoria Azarenka, Iga Swiatek-Sloane Stephens matches.