Umpire Carlos Ramos appeared to receive an apology from one of his severest critics on Thursday – as figures emerged showing that male players are penalised far more often than women for bad behaviour.

The Portuguese official was pictured in Croatia talking with USTA President Katrina Adams, with witnesses claiming they overheard her saying sorry for the fallout over the Serena Williams sexism row in the US Open final.

The conversation — prior to America's Davis Cup semi-final in Zadar — coincides with Sportsmail obtaining data from the last twenty years of Grand Slams displaying the misdemeanours of the two sexes at the sport's four biggest events.

Umpire Carlos Ramos has seemingly received an apology after Saturday's US Open final

PENALTY STATS Racket abuse: Men 646 – Women 99 Audible obscenity: 344 – 140 Ball abuse: 49 – 35 Coaching violations: 87 – 152 Unsportsmanlike conduct: 287 – 67 Verbal abuse: 62 – 16 Visible obscenity: 20 - 11 Advertisement

They play down the suggestion from the likes of Williams and Adams that men get away unfairly with worse infractions by showing that they are, in general, far more likely to be fined. One area, however, provides a notable exception.

That is in the sphere of coaching violations, which since 1998 has seen women punished nearly twice as often as men, with 152 fines compared to 87.

Otherwise there are marked contrasts, the clearest being for racket abuse — one of Williams' trio of offences last Saturday — which stacks up at 646 to 99. Another of her offences, the less common verbal abuse, has seen 62 violations handed out to men compared to sixteen for women.

The one exception is interesting, in light of WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon using the turbulent final at Flushing Meadows to call for all-in coaching to be allowed across the sport.

What first sparked the American great's meltdown last Saturday was when Ramos called her coach Patrick Mouratgolou out for giving hand signals from the support box. He swiftly owned up to that, despite her assertion that this was not a practice they are involved in.

Overall the figures are not out of line with what any long-term observer of the professional game would expect. Men do behave worse than their female counterparts, but they tend to get less surreptitious help from the stands when it is illegal.

Significantly, the WTA Tour has allowed on-court coaching at its own regular events since 2009, but it is still outlawed in the main draws of Grand Slams. Pep talks at changeovers can make for enlightening television, although the visual is often awkward, seeing predominantly men coming on court to lecture women.

The idea is now allowed at all US Open qualifying and junior events, but Wimbledon are particularly anxious to stop its spread. They feel it threatens to dilute the gladiatorial nature of the sport.

Serena Williams caused controversy when she confronted Ramos during the women's final

The All England Club is actively mobilising opinion against it, but may be powerless to resist the sight of coaches dashing onto the hallowed Centre Court turf if it becomes the norm at other Grand Slams.

GB Davis Cup captain Leon Smith called for more consistency on Thursday in the rule but stated his opposition to the practice in tournament situations (the Davis Cup has always featured on court coaching).

'In our game it's pretty unique that players are going out there and having to problem solve,' he said. ' I think that's something that is fascinating, watching the match unfold, is who is making the changes. I like the way it is.'

In Zadar there was support for Ramos – who is umpiring the match there – from US Captain and ex world number one Jim Courier, who said: 'It's been polarised and in some ways politicised, but we have no doubt that Carlos was just enforcing the rules as he sees them.'

There was also tacit approval of the official from US players such as Steve Johnson and Mike Bryan.

The Davis Cup format is changing next year, and will feature one eliminator round in February to produce a field of 18 nations competing over one week in one location later in the year.

Over the next three days in Glasgow GB will take on Uzbekistan which, on this occasion, will only determine whether they will be seeded, which should improve their draw for February's eliminator.

With Andy Murray still doing rehab work in Philadelphia, and Kyle Edmund doing a fitness block, Cam Norrie and Dan Evans will be the two singles players. Denis Istomin is Uzbekistan's one world class male player.

Friday 1pm (BBC red button): Evans v Istomin, Norrie vs Jurabek Karimov. Saturday: Doubles. Sunday: Reverse singles.



