WATCH: Venus Williams tells chair umpire ‘I can’t control God, talk to him’

Tennis Videos
Venus Williams unimpressed

Unimpressed by the chair umpire’s decision to give her a time violation during her defeat at the Emilia-Romagna Open, Venus Williams told the official to “talk to God” about the gusty winds.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner suffered a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Anna Schmiedlova in the first round in Parma on Monday.

After bouncing back from a 2-5 deficit in the opening set, the American reeled off five consecutive games to take a 1-0 lead, but she lost her way after that.

The heavy winds did not help her cause as she struggled with the ball tosses and opted to slow proceedings down. However, it resulted in a time violation and she decided to have a talk with the chair umpire.

“I’m just saying that wind blows and there is nothing I can do about that,” she told the umpire.

“I can’t control the wind or God… I will call out the tour director, but I am just saying if the wind blows there is nothing I can do about it. I can’t control God, talk to him.”

Schmiedlova’s reward after coming through the two hours and 39 minute encounter is a second-round clash against fifth seed Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1.

Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.

Venus Williams

Latest