Serena Williams has said that she was treated more unfairly for her on-court rule violations compared to many others who were guilty of the same offences.

The former World No. 1 also admitted that she could be a difficult person once she stepped out on to the court.

However, according to her, while she deserved punishments for her controversial actions, the ones she received were much harsher than they should have been.

Serena Williams has said that she was often punished more harshly than she should have been for her controversial offences during her playing days (Source: Getty)

Williams had several run-ins with officials and opponents over the course of her career.

For instance, during her 2009 US Open semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters, she yelled at a lineswoman, telling her to shove a ball down her throat. This resulted in a $10,500 fine for Williams.

The 23-time singles Major winner also infamously experienced a meltdown during her shock 2018 US Open final defeat to Naomi Osaka.

Williams was judged by chair umpire Carlos Ramos to be guilty of three code violations, which cost her a game and a point.

A furious Williams clashed repeatedly with Ramos as Osaka’s win eventually became overshadowed by the American’s controversial behavior.

This time, a $17,000 fine was levied on her. Later, even Roger Federer commented on the controversy, saying that Williams “went too far”.

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Recently, the former World No. 1 sat down for an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, where she was asked if she agreed with the notion that Black people are treated more unfairly in tennis than others.

In her response, Williams said that she herself is an example that proves an undercurrent of racism exists in the sport.

“Oh gosh, especially me in tennis—and I get into that in a different story, but [that project is coming in a few years. But I was judged way more harshly than people that have done the same [thing],” Williams said.

However, the 23-time Grand Slam winner did admit that she was in the wrong across most of the instances where she got punished or fined, but opined that the punishments and fines were excessive.

“Listen, I’m not a saint on the court. I’m the first to admit I’m the most psycho person on the court. I’m crazy, and I probably deserved a lot of that. But in the sport, I think that’s a bit much, when you think about it,” Williams added.

“Growing up, I was told I couldn’t accomplish my dreams because I was a woman and the color of my skin” – Serena Williams in 2017

Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open (Source: Getty)

In a 2017 essay she wrote for Fortune magazine, Williams laid bare how being Black affected her during her childhood and then during her illustrious career.

According to Williams, she was repeatedly told when she was young that she would not be able to realize her dreams because she was a Black woman.

“Growing up, I was told I couldn’t accomplish my dreams – because I was a woman and, more so, because of the colour of my skin,” Williams wrote.

Additionally, the former World No. 1 recalled instances of blatant racism both on and off the tennis court.

Williams also said that there were occasions when her male colleagues disrespected her.

“In every stage of my life, I’ve had to learn to stand up for myself and speak out. I have been treated unfairly, I’ve been disrespected by my male colleagues and – in the most painful times – I’ve been the subject of racist remarks on and off the tennis court,” Williams added.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles title holder bid her farewell to the sport after her loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open.

Today, Williams is happily married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and is a mother of two daughters, Olympia and Adira River. She is also a thriving entrepreneur.