Serena Williams has been fined $10,000 by the U.S. Open for verbally abusing and threatening a lineswoman in her semifinal match against Kim Clijsters. That is the maximum fine allowed for penalizing unsportswomanlike behavior. Williams must also pay $500 for breaking her racquet.
The committee investigating the incident will determine whether it can be considered a "major offense." Such a finding would lead to additional penalties for Williams.
11 comments:
This is so stupid. Yes, fine her but I have a feeling they want to suspend her.
I love serena williams
The whole thing should have never happened. Serena was right to be incensed at the line person - and the line person acted like a child in a school yard - digging in her heels and running to mommy the referee to protect her. Then the officials came out and closed ranks behind the lines person - look at the video - there they are clustered around the lines person who stands nodding her head - milking the scene for as much sympathy as she can get - and those officials all standing apart from Serena - judging her. That lines person should have been IMMEDIATELY removed from the court, a timeout should have been called - and the emotional scene never have been allowed to be played out in front of the fans.
Once removed from the court, the situation should have been allowed to cool and calm down and the call reviewed. Even if Serena was docked a point, it should have been done off court and announced afterward.
The officials of the U.S. Open should be ashamed of themselves for PUBLICALLY ganging up on a emotionally vulnerable player and backing up the little worm of a lines person whose call is NOT backed up by any available tape of the so-called fault.
It's easy to get down on Serena because of her language and demeanor - and the comments I've seen read as if that's all there was to the incident. Players who have been putting a tremendous amount of emotional and physical energy for an extended period of time may not act as 'appropriately' as we would think they should in this situation. All the more reason to create the space for them to calm down off the court - not have to face a judging committee so sympathetic to one of their own in front of everyone.
OCDave, I think you are not familiar with the rules. The rules require a linesperson to report abuse to the chair umpire. And even if it were not in her job description to report abuse, doing so makes her no less professional.
Serena has been fined. But it's not going to stop here. She is not the only Tennis player to argue with a line judge. They want her gone. I believe they will get their way. 10,000 was just the start, it's gonna get bigger. it would not suprise me if the amount went to 250,000. Tommorrow, the staduim will be filled with Serena William haters, some of them commentators, Mary Carillo for one!
Hi Diane,
Same question as last week... ;)
How do you rate Serena's chances of ending the season as world number 1, ahead of Dinara? Is it still possible for her to catch up? Dina is now on 9070, the F-bomb is way down on 7807... and that's before any penalty she may be given...?
Cheers, x
Paul, my understanding is that if Serena had won the U.S. Open, she may have wound up as number 1. Since she didn't, perhaps someone who likes to do the math can step in and answer your question.
OCDave:
You cannot be serious.
The F-Bomb. Give me a break.
That is terrible, why did she do that? I know it might have been a mistake, but com’on…
O No, The Fed just said some unkind words to the chair umpire,Like I don't give a ____! Will he be fined anything? No
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