Umpire Ramos breaks silence on dramatic 2018 US Open final

Carlos Ramos, the umpire of the drama-filled 2018 US Open women's singles final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka last week, has broken his silence and insisted that officiating in tennis tournament is not an "a la carte" affair.

Williams, who lost to Japan's Osaka in the controversial game, has claimed Ramos' decision to give her a code violation for verbal abuse after she called him a "liar" and a "thief" was a sexist move.

"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," Williams said in a press conference after the game.

Serena Williams argues with chair umpire during a match against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the women's finals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in New York. [Photo: Greg Allen/Invision/AP]

The controversy on the tennis court has amplified an already heated about sexism and double standards in the game.

The Portuguese umpire earlier spoke to Tribuna Expresso saying, " It's a delicate situation. But umpiring 'a la carte' is something that does not exist. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Miguel Seabra who is a journalist, former umpire and a good friend of Ramos, said that Ramos had received "hundreds" of goodwill messages from colleagues, players and former players.

Ramos is due to umpire the Davis Cup semi-final between the US and Croatia on Friday.

Chair umpire Carlos Ramos watches play as he officiates the match between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the women's final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in New York. [Photo: AP/Julio Cortez]

Following the controversy, Ramos has been under the limelight, with backers as well as critics from the tennis world weighing in on his officiating practices.

Katrina Adams, president of the US Tennis Association, has sided with Williams and suggested that Ramos would have been lenient if a male player committed the same behavior.

Meanwhile, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) chose to defend Ramos by saying: "Carlos Ramos is one of the most experienced and respected umpires in tennis. (His) decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules and were re-affirmed by the US Open's decision to fine Serena Williams for the three offences."

"It is understandable this high-profile and regrettable incident should provoke debate. At the same time, it is important to remember Mr. Ramos undertook his duties as an official according to the relevant rule book and acted at all times with professionalism and integrity."

According to The Times, umpires discontent with Williams' move and the subsequent criticism that targeted Ramos are considering boycotting matches involving Williams.

This is not the first time that Williams clashed with umpires at the US Open.