By Selwyn Duke

There was nothing serene about Serena Williams at this year’s U.S. Open, with her on-court tantrum taking the spotlight away from the winner, Naomi Osaka. But the incident also should shine a spotlight on the wider problems it reflects — namely, political correctness and the growing contempt for rules.

For those unacquainted with the story, Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, violated the code of conduct by using hand signals to coach his player from the seating area during Saturday's women's final. Williams received only a warning for this — but she wouldn’t let it go. Becoming irrational, she demanded an apology from the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos. She continued in this vein and was consequently issued a point penalty for bad behavior, after which she called Ramos a “thief.” Williams also broke her racquet during the incident (video below), ultimately was penalized a game, and later was fined a total of $17,000 for her three code violations. She lost to Osaka 6-2, 6-4.

But most striking is the affair’s aftermath. 

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