Following her outburst at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams finally found some support amid all the backlash she was dealt for her unprofessional behavior.

The tennis superstar not only lost to competitor Naomi Osaka of Japan during the U.S. Open Tennis Championships over the weekend, she was fined for several code violations following her heated and highly criticized behavior during the match.

Two major tennis groups came to Williams’ defense on Monday, backing up the 36-year-old professional tennis player who came under heavy fire for her outbursts amid her claims that her penalties were sexist.

Women’s Tennis Association CEO Steve Simon blasted the “different standards” used for men and women in the officiating of matches in a scathing statement released Sunday.

pic.twitter.com/4IRHbEtKTo

— WTA (@WTA) September 10, 2018

“Yesterday brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches,” Simon said. “The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men [vs.] women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same. We do not believe that this was done.”

Chair umpire Carlos Ramos accused Williams of illegally receiving instructions from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, during the match prompting Simon to call for coaching to be allowed across the sport.

U.S. Tennis Association president, Katrina Adams, also came out in support of Williams, claiming certain umpires have “double standards” in how they treat male and female players.

“We watch the guys do this all the time, they’re badgering the umpire on the changeovers. Nothing happens. There’s no equality,” Adams told ESPN. “I think there has to be some consistency across the board. These are conversations that will be imposed in the next weeks.”

“I know what Serena did and her behavior was not welcome,” she added. “A line could have been drawn, but when you look at Carlos in this situation, it’s a judgment call to give that last penalty because she called him a thief. They’ve been called a lot more.”

Statement from USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams on US Open Women’s Singles Final pic.twitter.com/fYOfYy5A04

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018

Williams was fined $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of Ramos, $4,000 for the coaching warning and another $3,000 for breaking her racket in protest.

“I didn’t get coaching,” Williams argued repeatedly after Ramos’ accusation. “I don’t cheat! I didn’t get coaching. How can you say that? You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life!”

Though the two tennis groups have backed Williams in the controversy, fans seemed not to approve and called out the statements on social media.

You have failed the test of leadership Steve. By not backing the chair umpire doing his job, and the fines imposed by the USTA for abuse of an official, you encourage disrespect of officials on court.

Officials also work for the WTA

Your statement is a shocker.

— Richard Ings (@ringsau) September 10, 2018

Great, so now the WTA will take up the fight for outbursts equality. Let’s fight for a woman’s right to be as rude and abusive towards game officials as some men are. Lol, this statement put out by the WTA is beyond ridiculous.

— Anthony Cesareo (@anceco) September 10, 2018

This is a disgrace. Everybody who played a part in making this statement should step down immediately. The umpire did his job correctly and you guys are questioning his integrity? Show some balls and tell the world that Serena’s behaviour was unacceptable. Cowards.

— Noah (@_Noah99_) September 10, 2018

I have never seen a tennis governing body throw an umpire under the bus and then reverse over them to complete the job.

But I’ve seen it here from the WTA for the first time.

A disgrace.

— Richard Ings (@ringsau) September 10, 2018

I can’t believe they are pandering to her. Don’t forget this is a woman who threatened to KILL a linesperson. I was disgusted the way the crowd were booing at the presentation. Poor Naomi was in tears. It was totally ruined for her. Yes Williams may have showed some class by

— Sami Dowd (@samidowd) September 9, 2018

comforting her and asking the crowd to stop but it was her actions on the court that caused the situation in the first place.

— Sami Dowd (@samidowd) September 9, 2018

With their statement the USTA has essentially said that cheating, smashing the racket and calling the umpire a thief is considered ‘class’ and how role models behave. The USTA needs a new PR person.

— Fair Dinkum Mate (@FairDinkumMate1) September 9, 2018

This is an utterly disgraceful statement by the USTA. Shameful.

— Fair Dinkum Mate (@FairDinkumMate1) September 9, 2018

So, Serena is the hero here? Unbelievable.
She’s a great player, but her behaviour today was totally unacceptable. This statement condones it

— Manuel Nuila (@ManuelNuila) September 9, 2018

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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