Tennis umpires 'thoroughly disturbed' by lack of support from WTA

Serena Williams' loss to Naomi Osaka in Saturday's US Open final sparked a heated debate that has chair umpires concerned about their future outlook.

Umpire Carlos Ramos received a large chunk of the blame for Saturday's fallout, with the Women's Tennis Association taking the side of their biggest star after Williams accused him of sexism.

Needless to say, the lack of support from the Association has umpires in the sport concerned about potential backlash, as Ramos is now being perceived as the villain in the dispute.

"The umpiring fraternity is thoroughly disturbed at being abandoned by the WTA," retired Gold Badge umpire Richard Ings said, according to ESPN's Peter Bodo. "They are all fearful that they could be the next Ramos. They feel that no one has their back when they have to make unpopular calls."

Williams struggled against her young counterpart, but was repeatedly penalized during the match, causing the tennis icon to lose her cool multiple times. Her frustration with Ramos began when she was given a code violation for being coached in-match and breaking her racket shortly after. She was deducted a game when she repeatedly demanded an apology from Ramos, eventually calling him a "thief," pushing her second set deficit to 5-3.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner was handed a $17,000 fine for her penalties in the match, but opened up an argument against what she believes is preferential treatment in men's tennis.