Serena Williams accuses US Open final umpire of sexism after 'thief' meltdown on court

SERENA WILLIAMS has deepened her feud with the US Open final umpire Carlos Ramos by insisting he would not have treated a man in the same way.

Williams branded Ramos a thief during the final at Flushing Meadows in an incredible meltdown in the second set as she lost 6-2 6-4 to Naomi Osaka.

Williams refused to shake hands with Ramos following the match having been given a game penalty for her outburst.

It came after Williams was accused of being coached from the sidelines.

She received a code violation and then smashed her racquet before having the game taken off her for the thief comment.

When asked if she would change anything from incident, Williams went on another rant, claiming men would not be treated how she was.

“I don't know,” she said. “You definitely can't go back in time. I can't sit here and say I wouldn't say he's a thief, because I thought he took a game from me.

“But I've seen other men call other umpires several things. I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality and for all kinds of stuff.

“For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief'.

Serena Williams was furious with the umpire during the second set (Image: REUTERS)

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“For me it blows my mind. But I'm going to continue to fight for women and to fight for us to have equal -- like Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine.

This is outrageous.

“I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman.

“They're going to be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn't work out for me, but it's going to work out for the next person.”

It comes after confirmation that all three umpire decisions were in fact correct.