Serena Williams on CNN: If I had acted like this, I would have been sent to prison

The echoes of the scandalous behavior of the third world tennis player Alexander Zverev continue. The German paired with the Brazilian Marcelo Melo lost 6: 2, 4: 6, 6:10 in the first round of the doubles tournament in Acapulco with the British-Finnish pair Lloyd Glasspool – Harri Heliovaara.

Outrageous behavior and low punishment

After the game, Zverev started hitting the referee’s stool with his racket. Italian referee Alessandro Germani fled the court terrified. The tournament organizers kicked the German tennis player out of the singles competition in Acapulco.

Part of the tennis community was outraged by the punishment that befell 24-year-old Zverev. He was not disqualified for longer, and in recent days he represented Germany in the Davis Cup against Brazil. The amount of the fine was also ridiculous, considering that it is the world’s top tennis player who has already earned over $ 30 million on the court.

Alexander Zverev apologized to the fans for his behavior. – It’s hard for me to put into words how much I regret my behavior during yesterday’s doubles match. I have already apologized to the judge privately because my attack on him was unacceptable. I’m disappointed in myself, this should never have happened. There is no excuse for that, wrote the German.

Zverev was apologizing

– I am addressing these apologies also to my fans and people who are related to the tournament and the sport I love. You know very well that I give it my best on the court, but yesterday it was too much. I will reflect on my behavior and what to do to prevent this situation from happening again. Sorry to let you down, added the winner of last year’s ATP Finals.

– I was severely depressed. It was hell. I didn’t want to go on – said Olga Sharypova two years ago, accusing her ex-fiancé, Alexander Zverev, of violence. Sharypova told shocking stories in a long interview with “Raquet”. Zverev denies everything, and the ATP organization has been investigating for months.

Serena Williams comments

Outraged by the gentle treatment of the 24-year-old from Hamburg is Serena Williams. The American claims that she would face a harsher punishment for what Zverev did in Acapulco. “There are completely double standards,” Williams, 40, told CNN. “I would probably go to jail if I did what Zverev did, if I did,” she added.

“Actually, I was on parole once,” Williams later admitted, which was a clear reference to the punishment for her behavior at the 2009 US Open. She exploded in the semi-final against Kim Clijsters. She walked over to the line judge who had caused her foot fault and, waving her racket, shouted at her. The media established the exact statement of the tennis player. “You better be right, because I swear to God I’ll take that pik and shove it down your throat.” I swear to God – Williams was supposed to be threatening. She received a fine of 175 thousand. dollars and a warning that it will be suspended if it does not change conduct.

There was a lot of excitement from Williams in the 2018 US Open Final. For illegal coaching (using the coach’s support during the match), destroying the racket and calling the referee a “thief” the American was penalized by a point and then a game. This contributed to her defeat against Naomi Osaka. Referee Carlos Ramos no longer referees her matches.

Serena Williams has lost four Grand Slam finals since 2017. She is missing one Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court’s all-time record (24 titles). The 40-year-old American still believes in the success of the mission. It is going to take part in the Roland Garros, which starts on May 22 in Paris. It is currently ranked 237th in the WTA.