Serena Williams hit out at the “sexist” behaviour of an umpire after a tense showdown at the US Open final yesterday saw her concede the Grand Slam title to Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Official Carlos Ramos gave the 23-time champion a code violation for verbal abuse when she called him a thief for taking a point away from her.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things,” Williams said at a post-match press conference. “I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say ‘thief,’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’.

“I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that wants to express themselves, and wants to be a strong woman.”

Serena Williams accuses umpire of sexism after court outburst at US Open final