Why Donald Trump defended Serena Williams during the 2009 US Open
For over two decades, Serena Williams was the dominant force on the women’s circuit. The fact that she hailed from America helped her to become a global icon.
She has long been proud of her roots, emerging from Compton as a plucky teenager, alongside her supremely talented sister, to the top of a sport often seen as inaccessible for people like her.
However, she defied the odds time and time again, and upset a lot of people whilst doing it.
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Whether it was her overwhelming power, unrelenting dominance or outspoken personality, people always had something to say.
It was refreshing to see Donald Trump, of all people, actually rush to her defence back in 2009.
Why Serena Williams was under fire at the 2009 US Open
As she took on Kim Clijsters in the semi-final of the US Open that year, she found herself in a tricky position during the crucial second set.
Trailing 5-6 and 15-30, the umpire controversially called a foot fault on a second serve, thus handing the Belgian a match point.
Williams reacted with fury, swearing and threatening to shove a tennis ball down her throat, resulting in another point penalty, which decided the match.
Naturally, people rushed to lambast her reaction, but Trump was not one of them. He instead argued: “The backlash against Serena has been relentless and she has been treated badly.”
“She has apologised, and I think enough is enough.”
He continued: “Serena is a great champion — and she should be allowed to move on to bigger and better things than apologizing on Twitter and elsewhere.”
“The line judge made a very evident mistake, and she is the one who should be apologising.”
Serena Williams’ turbulent history with umpires
This was not the first, nor was it the last run-in that Serena had with chair umpires.
In fact, at the US Open alone, she boasts a myriad of controversial and explosive moments involving the officials.
Back in 2004, she was subject to a string of line calls going against her as she lost to Jennifer Capriati in a match that is widely considered to be the catalyst for the introduction of Hawkeye.
Then in 2011, Williams was penalised for celebrating after she hit a scorching winner past Sam Stosur in the final. She branded the umpire ‘a hater’ and said she was ‘unattractive inside’.
However, perhaps her most controversial moment came during the 2019 US Open final, which she lost to Naomi Osaka.
There, she had a series of arguments throughout the match with umpire Carlos Ramos, eventually accusing him of sexism.
The 44-year-old refused to shake his hand and instead insisted afterwards: “You owe me an apology.”
