It is clear that Serena Williams hasn’t forgotten a previous incident she had with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez following their clash in the women’s doubles tournament at the French Open on Sunday.
Williams, who playing in the third round with sister Venus, spoke with the umpire during a changeover regarding a certain rule in the sport. She was heard on camera asking the official to make sure that Sanchez understood the rules when it comes to the ball hitting a player. Asking for clarification before requesting that Sanchez is made to abide by it.
“If I get hit by the ball, or an opponent gets hit by a ball, is the point over?” Asked Williams.
“Yes,” replied the umpire.
“Ok, can you make sure she (Sanchez) understands that cause I did hit her once and she kept playing and I lost the point.” She stated.
At the 2009 French Open Williams accused her Spanish opponent of ‘cheating’ during their third round match. In the first set Williams complained that Sanchez won a point after the ball bounced off her arm, something that is against the rules. The allegation was later dismissed as ‘Stupid’ by Sanchez. Who insisted that the ball came off her racket. The situation occurred after a Sanchez drop-shot triggered a swift return from the 23-time grand slam champion right back at her opponent.
“The ball hit her body and therefore she should have lost the point, instead of cheating. I hit the ball rather hard. She knew that ball hit her. It was clearly my point.” Williams said about the incident back in 2009.
The two players have since played each other four times on the tour. Although their 2009 confrontation remain fresh in the mind of the 36-year-old. The Williams sisters lost their doubles match against Sanchez and Andreja Klepač, who are the third seeds in the draw. They went out 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-0.
Williams will play Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of the French Open singles competition on Monday.
A champion never forgets.
On court before a doubles match against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Serena Williams wanted to clarify a few things. #RG18 pic.twitter.com/IBRU1m5IEe
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 3 June 2018
