Breaking News: “I had no idea the media would pit us against each other”: When Serena Williams apologized to Naomi Osaka after contentious ‘debacle’ in US Open final

Serena Williams once penned a heartfelt letter of apology to Naomi Osaka after their controversial clash in the 2018 US Open final.

Williams’ contentious dispute with the chair umpire overshadowed the Japanese’s maiden Grand Slam triumph, even reducing her to tears during the trophy presentation.

Osaka’s impressive 6-2, 6-4 victory in the 2018 US Open final was marred by Williams’ heated confrontation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the second set.

The American lashed out at the umpire and demanded an apology after he had handed her a code violation for coaching, having spotted her coach Patrick Mouratoglou making hand signals from the stands.

The situation escalated when the former World No. 1 received a point penalty for smashing her racket in frustration.

The violation prompted her to accuse Ramos of being a “thief” and a “cheat,” which earned her a costly game penalty for verbal abuse.

Despite pleading her case to the tournament referee, Williams failed to get the penalty overturned.