VOA · What's Trending Today?
Intermediate · B1–B2learner speed2:482018-09-12public domain
What's Trending Today? covers viral stories and social media moments in short, punchy reports. The episodes are brief and topical — perfect for a quick daily dictation session.
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01This is What's Trending Today.
02Umpire Carlos Ramos has made his first public statement since his disputed calls at the U.S.
03Open final Saturday.
04American Serena Williams and Japan's Naomi Osaka were competing in the championship.
05I am good under the circumstances, Ramos told Portugal's Tribuna Expresso.
06He called it an unhappy situation and said he followed the rules of tennis.
07Don't you worry about me, he added.
08Ramos told the newspaper that he stayed off the streets of New York after the match to avoid any complicated situations.
09He will be back to work as umpire on Friday in Zadar, Croatia.
10Ramos called three rules violations against Williams during the event.
11The decision caused a heated on-court dispute between him and Williams.
12It later started a larger debate about sexism in tennis.
13Ramos was unable to defend himself over the weekend as the rules prevent umpires from commenting on the matches they oversee.
14The International Tennis Federation is the governing organization for international tennis.
15It defended Ramos in a statement on Monday.
16Carlos Ramos is one of the most experienced and respected umpires in tennis.
17Mr.
18Ramos' decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules.
19It added that U.S.
20Open organizers confirmed Ramos' decisions when they decided to fine Williams for the three offenses.
21The United States Tennis Association and Women's Tennis Association, however, supported Williams' accusations that Ramos' actions were based in sexism.
22Billie Jean King is a former world number one player who founded the WTA.
23She said on Tuesday, both sides shared the blame for the incident.
24She described Williams' behavior on court as out of line.
25She added that Ramos could have prevented the incident with clearer communication.
26I'm Jonathan Evans.
27I'm Jonathan Evans.
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