Currently, there are two petitions waxing strong and gaining momentum, as the public support petitions for Serena Williams’ claims of sexism and racism at the hands of the USTA.
The first petition supporting Serena Williams in light of her controversial match at the women’s US Open final was just shy of its goal of 19,000 supporters late Sunday night.
The petition, set up on Care2’s website, calls for revoking $17,000 in fines Williams was assessed for three code violations during the match on Sept. 8. Williams accused the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, of sexism after Ramos issued her three code violations, which resulted in the loss of a point and then a full game.
“Enough is enough,’’ the petition reads. “Sign my petition to fight back against sexism in tennis — tell the US Open to apologize to Serena Williams and drop her unjust $17,000 fine!’’
The creator of the petition is listed as Rebecca G. and the recipient is Katrina Adams, US Open chairperson and CEO and president of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
A second online petition alleging Williams was a victim of racism and sexism during her 6-2, 6-4 loss in the finals has also gained momentum on Facebook.
The petition, set up on colorofchange.org, says Williams was a victim of sexism and racism. Although the number of people who have registered is unclear, the petition by Sunday night had garnered 7,400 “likes’’ on the Color of Change Facebook page.
The Color of Change petition also cites the firing of Tony Nimmons — a black chair umpire who sued the USTA for discrimination earlier this year — as evidence of systemic racism in American tennis by the sport’s governing body.
“In what should have been a match of titans, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams were both denied the fair and dignified game they deserved,” the petition said, “instead enduring the long upheld culture and casual acceptance of gender-informed racism within the United States Tennis Association.”
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