Serena Williams has spoken out for the first time about the US Open final in an interview on Australian television show The Project.
Williams was handed three code violations during the match against Naomi Osaka, which started when she was penalised for being coached from the sideline from Patrick Mouratoglou.
Following that incident, Williams smashed her racquet, and then called chair umpire Carlos Ramos a "thief" and accused him of being "sexist" during the 6-2 6-4 defeat.
Mouratoglou admitted he was coaching from the box, but Williams stands by her original stance, saying she had no clue what he was talking about.
"He said he made a motion, I don't understand what he was talking about. We've never had signals."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also reiterated her claim that female stars were treated differently to the men on tour.
"I just don't understand… if you're a female, you should be able to do even half of what a guy can do."
A report released by the New York Times showed men have been fined 1517 times compared to 535 from women at Grand Slam tournaments dating back to 1998.
Williams was fined NZ$26,006 for her three code violations.
The interview is set to air this week.
Ramos spoke to Portuguese newspaper Tribuna Expresso last week about his experience.
"I'm fine, given the circumstances," Ramos said. "It's a delicate situation, but umpiring 'a la carte' doesn't exist.
"Don't worry about me."
Social media was divided on the issue, as several current and former players shared their views along with the general public.
Australian cartoonist Mark Knight was also widely criticised for his "racist and sexist" depiction of Williams' outburst in the Herald Sun.
He drew a cartoon showing a furious Williams stomping on her racquet, with a baby's dummy on the court beside her. In the background, Ramos is seen asking opponent Naomi Osaka, "Can you just let her win?".
Despite the backlash, the paper defended Knight's cartoon.
Meanwhile, Ramos has given Marin Cilic is given a code violation during Croatia's Davis Cup semi-final win over the United States for smashing his racquet.
Newshub.
