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With the new tennis season on the horizon, one of 2018’s most fascinating storylines is still yet to reach a conclusion as Serena Williams prepares her return to the sport next month. The American great – a 23-time Grand Slam champion – has not been seen since her infamous US Open final meltdown where she called umpire Carlos Ramos a ‘thief’ and a ‘sexist’ as she went down to Naomi Osaka. Four months on from the incident, the pair are set to return to the same working environment for the first time since that clash, with Williams still refusing to issue a public apology and maintaining she was the victim of sexism. ADVERTISEMENT With Ramos one of the most respected umpires on tour and Williams expected to go deep in the first Grand Slam of the season, there is plenty of scope for the duo to share the same court in Melbourne. Williams was furious with Ramos (Picture: Getty) Of course, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley and his scheduling team may opt to keep the pair apart and International Tennis Federation chief David Haggerty believes the pair’s recent history may well be ‘considered’. ‘I think many months have gone by, I’m sure there has been reflection on all fronts,’ Haggerty told a group of journalists on Wednesday afternoon. ‘I think she will play in the Australian Open and I’m sure she’ll be back in her form. I’m sure Carlos will be at the Australian Open calling matches. Whether they’re scheduled together, time will tell.’ Asked if Ramos shouldn’t be assigned Williams’ matches at Melbourne Park, he added: ‘That could be something for the tournament to consider. ‘They could consider that, they could consider how to schedule and what to do. Haggerty believes the row could come under consideration (Picture: Getty) ‘You’ve seen quite a few women’s matches that are being chaired by women referees. I think at the US Open in this instance was to have a man do a woman and a woman do a man to make that same statement. I think all the officials and referees that are at a Grand Slam are capable.’ ADVERTISEMENT The idea of keeping players and umpires apart based upon recent disagreements raises questions in itself – should tennis stars really have a say over who oversees their matches? ‘I think that’s a fair comment,’ Haggerty added. ‘That’s why I said it could be a consideration but it don’t think it has to be a mandatory that he not umpire a match or referee a match that she’s in.’ Ramos has largely dodged the limelight since the row and Haggerty again offered the ITF’s full backing, insisting ‘he did what he was supposed to do’. ‘We certainly support the umpires and referees,’ he continued. ‘We have workshops and different things. Fairweather offered his backing to Ramos (Picture: Getty) ‘Carlos followed the rules – he did what he was supposed to do and we’ve said that publicly after the incident. I think everyone after that event took a full meditation and reflection on what was done.’ ITF chief operating officer Kelly Fairweather – also present in the discussion in London – revealed that Ramos was ‘upset’ by the backlash he faced amid accusations of sexism from Williams but praised him for his handling of the situation. ‘He was upset and we supported him a lot in the months afterwards,’ Fairweather said. MORE: TENNIS Rafael Nadal to team up with Roger Federer again at 2019 Laver Cup ‘He’s resolute and understands that sometimes these things come with the job. ‘I think he dealt with it very, very well.’ Williams will be making her first appearance at the Australian Open since winning the title while eight weeks pregnant back in 2017. ADVERTISEMENT Since her return from pregnancy, she has reached back-to-back major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. Should she go one further in Melbourne, the 37-year-old can match Margaret Court’s all-time record 24 Grand Slam haul.


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