US Open 2019: Ramos not umpiring me? I don’t know who that is – Serena

Serena Williams offered a terse response when asked about the decision to not have Carlos Ramos as part of her matches, claiming she did not know who the umpire was.

Ramos will not umpire Williams during the US Open after the pair infamously clashed during last year’s final, which the American lost to Naomi Osaka.

Williams had a meltdown during the decider and was involved in numerous altercations with Ramos, calling the umpire a “liar” and “thief” after he initially gave her a warning for coaching.

After her 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Maria Sharapova in the first round on Monday, Williams was asked about the United States Tennis Association’s decision not to have Ramos umpire her matches.

“Yeah, I don’t know who that is,” Williams responded.

Williams was in impressive form against Sharapova, needing just 59 minutes to claim her 19th straight victory over the Russian.

Flawless from the start…@serenawilliams defeats Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 in the opening night match in Arthur Ashe Stadium!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/8DjK65kKP9

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2019

It was also Williams’ 20th win in 22 meetings with Sharapova and the 23-time grand slam winner said the match-up just seemed to suit her.

“I just feel like her game really matches up well against mine. I always said her ball somehow lands in my strike zone,” she said.

“I don’t know. It’s just perfect for me.”

Williams entered the year’s final major having retired during the Rogers Cup final and pulled out of Cincinnati, but the 37-year-old played down any concerns over her back injury.

“Yeah, back feels good. I thought I could finagle and play in Cincy. Last-minute decision that I definitely couldn’t,” she said.

“I got some more training in, yeah.”