'I'm honest, I was coaching' - Serena's coach Patrick Mouratoglou
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Updated 09/09/2018 at 01:07 GMT
Serena Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has admitted that he was making hand gestures after she was hit by a coaching violation in the controversial US Open final won by Naomi Osaka 6-2 6-4.
Serena Williams's coach Patrick Mouratoglou
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With Osaka in control of the match after taking the first set, Portuguese chair umpire Carlos Ramos sent Williams into a rage when he handed the 23-time Grand Slam champion a code violation in the second game of the second set after he spotted Mouratoglou making hand signals from the player's box.
A furious Williams informed Ramos in strong terms after storming over to his chair:
"I don't cheat to win!" she said. "I'd rather lose... I'm just letting you know!"
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Serena Williams shouts at the umpire
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She then launched a series of verbal attacks on Ramos, demanding an apology for his call on the coaching violation to accusing him of being "a liar" and "a thief for stealing a point from me".
Williams again informed umpire Ramos that she is not a cheat and did not receive coaching from Mouratoglou, even adding that she had a daughter so would not do that.
"You owe me an apology," she said. "I have NEVER cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand for what is right and I have NEVER cheated."
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Serena Williams and Carlos Ramos
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Ramos sent Williams into a further rage when he handed the 23-time Grand Slam champion a game penalty for the verbal abuse.
Mouratoglou later admitted that he was coaching but added that it was not uncommon and that his opposite number, Osaka's coach Sascha Bajin, was doing the same.
I am honest. I was coaching. I don't think she looked one time. Sascha was coaching every point too.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the championship trophy after winning the Women's Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Image credit: Getty Images
Osaka became Japan's first ever Grand Slam champion after she closed out the 6-2 6-4 with unbelievable composure.
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