Serena defends her integrity after Grand Slam controversy

Sep 8, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the United States yells at chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the women's final against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day thirteen of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Serena Williams said she did not know her coach was giving her instructions and had "never cheated in her life" after her hopes of winning a 24th Grand Slam title ended in extraordinary scenes at the U.S. Open on Saturday.

The American received three code violations, including a game penalty for verbal abuse, from chair umpire Carlos Ramos in the final, where she was beaten by Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-2 6-4.