US OPEN '19: Williams-Osaka reverberations felt, year later

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US OPEN '19: Williams-Osaka reverberations felt, year later

2019-08-21 23:31 Last Updated At：23:40

As the start of the 2019 U.S. Open approaches, the indelible image from last year's tournament does not involve a particularly remarkable shot or a champion holding a trophy.

Instead, it is, and likely forever will remain, Serena Williams pointing her index finger at chair umpire Carlos Ramos while insisting that he owed her an apology after they clashed during the women's final.

The tenor of that match between Williams — who then was, and currently is, seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles trophy — and Naomi Osaka — whose terrific performance during a 6-2, 6-4 victory largely was ignored amid the chaos that enveloped Arthur Ashe Stadium that day — shifted after Ramos warned Williams for receiving a coaching signal from the stands and devolved from there. She eventually was docked a point and, later, a game — and afterward, was fined $17,000.

Almost a full 12 months later, with first-round play beginning Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that 1-hour, 19-minute contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus.

"We've decided that there are over 900 other matches and Carlos, for 2019, will not be in the chair for a Williams sisters match," U.S. Tennis Association executive Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. "We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes."

Among the key story lines that carry over: Serena Williams, also the runner-up at Wimbledon each of the past two years, is trying to equal Margaret Court's mark for most major singles championships. Osaka, who added her second Slam title at the Australian Open in January, returns to New York ranked No. 1 — and dealing with knee discomfort that forced her withdrawal from a tuneup tournament last week.

What's more, the tennis world is filled with ongoing discussions and debates about such matters as the proper role of chair umpires, the way the code of conduct is constructed and, maybe above all, whether in-match coaching should be permitted everywhere.

On that last subject, there are those who would like to see it, such as the USTA itself — which lobbied, to no avail so far, the folks who run the other majors to approve coaching — or Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year's final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.

Says Allaster: "I understand it's polarizing, but ultimately, we have to look at how tennis competes and is relevant. ... Access is a key part of it; engagement with fans that want to hear from the players and coaches."

Says Mouratoglou: "I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed."

There are others, such as Roger Federer or the person in charge of Wimbledon, who think it goes against the very fabric of the game.

Says Federer: "I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't have coaching in tennis. ... It's what actually makes our sport unique."

Says All England Club executive chairman Richard Lewis: "Most of the men have said they're against it. A lot of coaches have said they're against it. There's a lot of people — Wimbledon, as much as anybody — who feel that tennis is very special because it is a gladiatorial contest. ... You're on your own."

It's a topic that hangs over the season's last major, even if there are plenty of results-related questions for the hard-court tournament's two weeks:

How healthy is Williams, who withdrew two events because of back spasms? Can Osaka make another deep run? Will Wimbledon champion Simona Halep get past the semifinals at the only Slam where she hasn't? How will 15-year-old Coco Gauff follow up her run at Wimbledon? Can Federer, defending champ Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal make it 12 major titles in a row for the Big Three? Might a 20-something man finally break through?

None of that, though, is fraught with the greater significance of a possible rule change. As things stand, there is nothing consistent about coaching, a reflection of the each-week-is-different situation in a sport without a commissioner or a single rulebook.

"I wish (men and women) had coaching," said Sam Querrey, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2017, "and you could talk to your coach whenever you want."

Grand Slam tournaments do not allow coaching, for male or female players, in main-draw matches, although the U.S. Open began trying it for qualifying and juniors in 2017.

The International Tennis Federation does allow it for Davis Cup and Fed Cup matches, even letting coaches sit courtside.

The ATP doesn't allow it for tournaments on the men's professional circuit.

Yet the WTA does let coaches come down out of the stands to talk to players during changeovers, something that was ushered in more than a decade ago — when Allaster was the CEO of the women's tour.

"Either have it everywhere or nowhere," 2016 U.S. Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova said, "but I prefer nowhere."

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

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Man United in crisis: transfers, tactics and takeover helped lead up to 4-0 humiliation at Palace

2024-05-07 21:38 Last Updated At：23:51

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A bad season just keeps on getting worse for Manchester United.

The 20-time English champion was routed 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday and faces the prospect of its lowest finish in the Premier League era, as well as a season without European soccer.

Champions League qualification was already beyond Erik ten Hag's troubled team before its latest defeat. Now, sitting eighth in the standings, even the third-tier Conference League could end up out of reach.

On current form, United might need to beat Manchester City in this month's FA Cup final to secure a place in the Europa League. On current form, there is little chance of that happening.

One of the world's most storied clubs is in a mess and the humiliation at the hands of Palace was the latest evidence of that.

A record of 13 league defeats is the most United has suffered in a Premier League campaign. In all competitions that number rises to 18, including four losses in six games as United crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.

Ten Hag's team has conceded 81 goals in all competitions, which is the most since 1976-77.

According to stats company Opta, United has also spent more time in a losing position in league games this season than a winning one.

Its only win in its last seven league games was against last-placed Sheffield United.

United's lowest finish in the Premier League era — which it long dominated, winning 13 titles under former manager Alex Ferguson — was seventh under David Moyes in 2013-14.

Here are some of the reasons behind United's fall this season.

INJURIES

United's substitutes' bench against Palace included six teenagers and two goalkeepers, such is the level of the injury crisis which has gripped Ten Hag's team. Jonny Evans, the veteran 36-year-old center back, was rushed back from injury to cover for the absent Harry Maguire and midfielder Casemiro had to play as a makeshift defender.

It has been the story of United's season with key players ruled out for long periods, including Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.

Yet United is not the only team to suffer from injuries, with Liverpool and Newcastle also seeing their squads decimated by absences.

Even Ten Hag accepted there was no excuse for Monday's performance.

“The players who were available should do better. It’s a deserved defeat,” he said.

TACTICS

Last season United had one of the meanest defenses in the Premier League, with only treble-winning City and Newcastle conceding fewer goals.

It's been a very different story in Ten Hag's second season in charge, with the openness of his team a consistent problem.

To compound the issue, United has found goals hard to come by at the other end of the field. A total of 52 scored is the joint lowest in the top half of the standings, level with 10th-place Bournemouth. Luton — which is in the relegation zone — has scored 49.

United is too open in midfield, too fragile in defense and not potent enough in attack. And it falls on Ten Hag to come up with the solutions.

TRANSFERS

United's recruitment record simply hasn't been good enough since Ferguson retired in 2013, with the club spending billions of dollars on players who have failed to live up to their reputations.

Ten Hag cannot be held responsible for what went before him, but there are question marks over the players signed on his watch.

The $95 million spent on Antony has not provided the sort of return fans would have expected, with the Brazil winger struggling to adapt to the English topflight.

Casemiro, who looked out of his depth at Palace — albeit out of position in defense — appears to be past his best at 32 and a shadow of the player who dominated midfield for Real Madrid.

Mount and Martinez have both been injury prone, while goalkeeper Andre Onana has made a slew of costly blunders.

After two summer windows, Ten Hag's signings haven't been able to lift the level of the squad significantly.

SQUAD QUALITY

It has been reported that United is willing to listen to offers for the majority of its players in the offseason, with notable exceptions including Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

That speaks volumes about the changes required to transform the squad and the tight financial restraints on the club if it is to operate within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

With defender Raphael Varane and forward Anthony Martial out of contract at the end of the season, there will be two key areas United needs to strengthen in, even before sales.

OWNERSHIP UPHEAVAL

Ten Hag has been left in limbo while new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority investment.

For much of his time in charge, he has been uncertain about who he would ultimately answer to, with the Glazer family listening to offers to sell the club and British billionaire Ratcliffe competing with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani over a buyout.

It was anticipated that a deal would be concluded in time for last year's summer transfer window when United was on the back of a third-place finish in the league and success in the English League Cup.

Instead the wait went on until Ratcliffe eventually secured what will be a 27.7% minority stake and assumed control of soccer operations.

Off the field, changes have been happening at pace with new directors, a new chief executive and technical director hired. Newcastle's Dan Ashworth is wanted as sporting director, while former football director John Murtough, who worked closely with Ten Hag, has departed.

In other words there has been a lot of upheaval behind the scenes, which has coincided with the team's alarming slump on the field.

New technical director Jason Wilcox has been assessing United's operations since assuming his role last month. In that time he has seen his new club blow a 3-0 lead and need penalties to beat second tier Coventry in the FA Cup semifinals, draw at home against relegation struggler Burnley and get routed by Palace.

The only win he has seen in regulation time was at home to Sheffield United after twice going behind to a team that was relegated later that week.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson