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Billie Jean King has accused Serena Williams of being “totally out of line” following her outburst at umpire Carlos Ramos in the US Open Final.
The former world No1 had backed Williams — who accused the official of being a “thief” and a “liar”, leading him to dock her a game in her defeat to Naomi Osaka — and suggested she had been the victim of sexism.
However, King, a 12-time Grand Slam winner, has since appeared to backtrack on that position.
“Serena was way out of line,” King, 74, told CNN. “There’s no question. No one is saying she was a good sport. If they are, they are crazy. She was totally out of line. She knows it.”
King’s stance comes as it emerged umpires said they were considering forming a union after what they deemed Ramos being “hung out to dry” following his handling of Williams.
One senior figure was reported as saying: “There is a lot of unhappiness in the umpiring community as no one is standing up for officials.
“There is a widespread feeling that Carlos was hung out to dry for nearly 48 hours and that no one is standing up for officials.”