Update: Serena Williams has issued a formal statement to her fans. She has also been fined $10,500 dollars for unsportsmanlike conduct and racquet abuse.
The governing bodies of tennis are expected to meet today to discuss the aftermath of Serena Williams’ actions on Saturday at the US Open.
Should Serena pay a fine for her unsportsmanlike conduct? Or is harsher punishment, possibly even suspension more appropriate?
Tell us your opinion in the comments below or send a reply to @onthebaseline on Twitter.
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I personally think they BOTH should be fined. The LW obviously made the wrong call which provoked that type of action.
Suspension. From a major since she doesn’t care about lower tiers anyway. No question she was threatening.
Fined, yes. Suspended, no. Calling a foot fault that wasn’t clearly a foot fault in the junction of a major semifinal was careless and trivial. It’s not like she physically touched the woman. She’s not the first or worst offender of losing their temper in the heat of the moment.
No, I think the point penalty on match point was enough. She was way out of line but calling a very borderline foot fault in that moment of the match was awful. Hopefully it will lead to foot faults being able to review with hawkeye.
I dont think Serena shld B suspended. It seems 2 me that something she disagreed w/ happened earlier & the 2nd time she lossed it. I think the fine sends the message that that type of behavior won’t be tolerated. But suspension is 2 harsh IMHO.
I feel there should be both a fine and a suspension because there was no apology in the press conference that i saw.
no. I think that the loss of the match point is enough of a sign to other tennis players that this type of behavior is bad
fine yes, suspension not sure, possibly merited but not sure it would be effective at doing anything for anyone
While Serena’s behaviour was reprehensible, I do feel like she’s being singled out. Andy Roddick and Marat Safin, to name two players off the top of my head, have regularly behaved badly (albeit to umpires and not linepeople) without consequence. The official in question made a terrible call at a terrible time which should be factored into the decision. Fine only at worst.
Absolutely not. She lost the semifinal of the U.S. Open. That’s accountability. And she’ll be fined. That’s enough. If she’s defaulted from the doubles or suspended, I’ll be very upset. It’s not right.
No, she should not be suspended. She lost the opportunity to play for a spot in the US Open final, I think that is punishment enough. As others have mentioned, the foot fault call as questionable at best and should not have been called at that point in the match.
Fine and suspension, you can’t verbally abuse anyone like that, regardless of the call. What do you think MLB or NFL would do
Ser Will is a *******. She should be suspended and fined accordingly to the gravity of her misbehavior. One of the worst athletes in history, a pity. A shame for the great, gentlemanly sport named tennis. She’s no number 2 for me. I’m no longer a fan of hers. Too bad!
This is the reason tennis as a sport cannot grow. If you seriously think she, the biggest star in the sport, should be suspended for this, then that is a problem. She shouldn’t be suspended for overreacting to a bad call. Period. If they do, I hope she will take legal action. That is ridiculous.
Serena should be disqualified from doubles and fined $10,000.
It’s an absurd question and if the governing body of the tennis decides to go beyond a fine they are hypocrites in the extreme.
For historical context and perspective take the following link and as you read the story remember that throughout the player’s career, where numerous acts of misconduct and misbehavior occurred, there was never a suspension:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=57420
Definitely fined and suspended…There should be Zero Tolerance for her words and actions. While I think the linesman was over officiating by making that call, that type of behavior should NEVER occur on a tennis court. Worst part of it all is she felt absolutely no remorse for what happened during the press conference. Its moronic to deny saying you threatened to kill her when she said “I’m going to shove this **** ball down your throat”. That could quite possibly result in death if it were to happen.
Why should she apologize? She was penalized. The rules say nothing about apologizing for losing your temper. Hello????
First, let me be perfectly clear about what I mean by Serena’s verbal abuse and threatening physical gestures, by posting this excerpt from Reuters (obviously, some of the language has been cleaned up):
>>>
Astounded by the verdict and with her eyes bulging, Williams immediately saw red and threateningly marched up to the official. She waved her racket ominously and thrust the ball into the lineswoman’s face as she launched into a tirade.
“I swear to God I’m… going to take this… ball and shove it down your… throat, you hear that? I swear to God.”
<<<
It was right for Williams to receive a point-penalty even at match-point down, because verbal abuse and threatening gestures are unacceptable in any area of life, and should not go unpunished.
I understand that Williams was very angry – I would have been angry too if I were losing to Clijsters so soon after Clijsters's two-year 'retirement'. But I would never verbally abuse someone.
I don't know whether the call of foot-fault was correct or not, and I don't care. Either way, it doesn't justify verbally abusing and physically threatening a fellow human being, which can cause acute distress.
And refusing to apologise in the press-conference, pretending that she didn't remember what she said, is utterly classless.
A mere fine is meaningless to someone as obscenely rich as Serena.
If an ordinary person with a nine-to-five job verbally abused and physically threatened someone in the office in the manner that Serena did, (s)he would most likely lose his/her job.
Why should Serena be treated any differently to the common worker?
She NEVER said she’d KILL anyone! Get your FACTS straight, pal. She said. “If I could, I would…”. Give me a break, you moron! Just keep perpetuating the lies and mis-information….. No one’s life was threatened….. although, knowing NY fans, the lineswoman probably had to duck bottles on her way to her car…… If Serena is suspended, that lineswoman had better be suspebded if not fired.
I think my message has got stuck in your spam-filter again.
Sorry about that, Andrew. Just found it and posted it.
Serena made a huge mistake and could not control herself during the match. I think the committee should fine her.
In the words of classy Serena “I think it’s pretty ******* obvious that Serena should be ******* suspended and fined” But will the governing body of tennis do the right thing to show the young kids that kind of conduct is unacceptable? Who knows. When you factor in the 0 remorse she showed afterward and how she thinks its a big joke. That should be factored in as well. Personally I don’t think suspending her from a couple small tournaments is enough of a suspension. Should be fines and at least 1 grand slam next year that she cannot attend to hopefully hit home somewhat to her that she can’t act like however she wants.
She should be suspended,
I agree with Shep, any other sport she would be suspended. She needs to apologize to the line judge, her foot was actually on the line. The line judge was clearly scared she was going to be attacked.
what other punishment ?
she lost the game!
Tennis is plain ol too technical as it is…add re-refreeing and you get playing fractals.
I think serena should have to apologize publicly. She should be embarassed to act like that with young children watching. A fine doesn’t matter because she is loaded.I hope she gets booed when she playes doubles. Its a shame she isn’t more like venus.
Good, old faithful automated spam filter, getting the job done again!
MAJOR CORRECTION TIME:
An earlier comment by this poster stated that a certain tennis player, John McEnroe, had never been suspended after numerous incidents of bad behavior. That is NOT TRUE!
“In 1987, McEnroe didn’t win a title for the first time since turning pro. He took a seven-month break from the game following the U.S. Open, where he was suspended for two months and fined $17,500 for misconduct and verbal abuse.”- from an article written for ESPN.com by Larry Schwartz entitled “McEnroe was McNasty on and off the court”.
http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/McEnroe_John.html
By that standard Serena may be in line for a suspension and it would not be surprising if one was handed down.
The truth is out there. And the truth (after thorough research!) will set you free.
SW should absolutely be compelled to accept the consequences of her actions, just like any other spoiled brat!
The call is not the issue here. It’s how Serena reacted that is. she abused a lines judge and threatened her. I think a suspension would be lost on Serena as she doesn’t play much after the US open anyway.
She can be fined a maximum of $10,000 an offence and there were three things they can fine her for. Just hit for the maximum for all three and give her a harsher penalty if it happens again.
It was a bad brain snap but hopefully it will never happen again. At the end of the day there is no excuse of what she did regardless if the call was correct or not.
Wilson why is tennis governing body hypocrites if they suspend Serena? While I personally think it would be a waste of time as Serena doesn’t play much after the US open and this was her first offence of this nature it would be extreme.
History has no relevance here. Serena did what she did and should accept whatever punishment is given to her. I personally think the maximum fine would be more appropriate.
Serena Williams behavior was an absolute disgrace! Of course she should be suspended for at least as long as possible. Her behavior and the silly $10,000 fine is a very bad joke. No other sport would tolerate this type of behavior. As a professional and a “role model” yesterday was a black day for tennis. She has shown a complete lack of respect for the sport, other players, her sponsors and most of all the fans who make all of this possible. IF you don’t severly punish her and use this incident as an example of what happens with shamelss behavior you are all as disgraceful as she is. Furthermore, you are sending the message around the world that if she can threaten others, so can others–especially kids!
I believe Serena will be fined for her outburst. I understand she lost her ‘zen’ and went off the boil. It happens, and it’s the umpire’s prerogative as to the immediate penalty.
But in principle a fine is in order. It wouldn’t affect her much, nor would a suspension. These players are worth more than any suspension or fine. It’s the Integrity of the sport and player behavior that’s at stake, so I say a fine in principle. Such, outbursts shouldn’t be condoned, regardless of the fact that the foot fault in itself was ‘dubious’ and really unnecessary. I know Serena was fighting to stay in the game and every point must have been crucial..yes, rightly so. She should challenge any contentious decision against her but within the appropriate manner.
Andy Roddick has had outbursts, Safin, Sharapova, Safina, and those who say things in other foreign languages(eastern europeans)… it happens so a fine in my opinion is fair.
Not all the tennis players are as sweet as Kim or Wozniacki. Jelena Jankovic has had her gripes with the Umpires..it happens. Some even thought Federer was rude at last year’s wimbledon final against Nadal etc.
Anyway, I like Kim Clijsters, but Like kuznetsova and Kim herself, I think the U.S open will be the break through for Caroline Wozniacki.
No need for a suspension. Bad Call. Bad Behavior.
Cost of bad behavior (to player) = Loss of point; therefore loss of match since it was match point. In effect it was a two point turnover (in a huge match at a major) The bad call on second serve cost her the point and her reaction cost her the match.
Cost of bad call (to lines person) = none.
Mary Carillo is so jealous of the Williams sisters it’s palpable. There is nothing unbiased about her statements related to the Williams sisters. She constantly has something negative to say about them and when she can squeak anything positive out it is always negated with something negative to follow. I can’t wait for ESPN and the Tennis Channel to muzzle her.
Ah, Vicki! Long time no see! How ya doin”?
Now: If you will scroll back about four submissions or so before this one you will see the submission made by yours truly, prior to this one.
In that submission you will discovered what action the governing tennis body made in the past, their historical precedent in other words, which shows how they reacted to a player in a similar situation and gives a clear indication of how they may respond in this current situation. See how relevant history can be?
And indeed, the powers that be have handed down a fine to Serena as of this writing. A suspension may still be in the offing. And, surprisingly, if the governing body does not suspend Serena after setting the precedent of suspending McEnroe for similar behavior back in 1987 then they are clearly hypocritical in terms of the clear precedent that they have established. Got all that?
Hope that clears things up for you. Till next time then, remember….
The truth is out there. And the truth shall set you free.
I think the fine is enough! Serena has every right to be angry, she has been the victim of terrible calls, that’s how we got Hawkeye instated. We should have the umpires evaluated too. Who fined the players who were caught on tape cheating against her? I’ve heard much worse language used by the men many times, not to mention unsportsmen like conduct over and over by the same men. Let’s be fair to the women.
Absolutely, suspended. That is the only way she might (stress might) realize that she did something wrong. She didn’t come close to apologizing in her statement. I’m really tired of her flaunting her sense of entitlement.
As much as these tennis players are called ‘professionals’ it will bee seemingly unwise to compare their professions to others. How many everyday jobs do you have thousands of fans paying to watch you work, or get to do photo shoots and spreads in magazines. How many professions get multi million dollar sponsorships and endorsements…..
These people are celebrated in sometimes seemingly ‘ridiculous’ ways, so yes their reactions, mistakes and so on , will also verge on the ‘ridiculous’ sometimes. Serena’s reaction was hot tempered and will deserve a sanction, but a lengthy ban will most likely be unhelpful to the WTA tour itself in its current state.
People ‘choose’ to see her as a role model, she didn’t ask to be one, likewise , some have chosen Kim and even Melanie Oudin as role models for all kinds of reasons.. But ‘role models’ are human beings with flaws like others although they may excel at something.
Sharapova is a good will ambassador for the UN, but she did say on court that people can not expect her to be Mother Theresa.. ie she is not out there to be handing out kisses and hugs…of course she is still ‘ a role model’.
Mcenroe hasn’t really changed, but how many other players have turned out like Mcenroe ??
You be the judge..
Serena did congratulate Kim and exonerated her from any blame….but it would also… stand her in good light to say that to the public who paid to watch her play after calmer heads return, if for nothing at all just for civility sake…I believe she knows that too.
Hypocritical maybe…..but any any decision on the part of WTA should be on principle without any bias..and I believe a fine is smack on principle, a suspension unnecessary.
Serena needs to apologize to the line referee, to her tennis colleagues, to NBC and to the US Open organizers. Saying that she is only human is not an apology.
She should be suspended for at least 6 months (therefore she would miss the Australian Open). A fine would be a joke to a multi-millionaire like Serena. Also, a 2 month suspension would be ridiculous, as there are no big tournaments then that she would care about.
It doesn’t matter what your ranking is, you can’t be allowed to threaten an referee or linesperson. There has to be some respect between the players and referees/linespeople.
A suspension is the only way to let the players know that this type of behavior can’t be tolerated.
Totally unacceptable behavior. You do that to ANY other type of “official” in our society and your *** is in jail. $10,500 fine????!!!!!! She’s worth well over $40 million and makes $14 million a year. Anyone else have a problem with that math equation and whether that’s actually going to make a difference with someone who’s so in denial over the whole thing that she can’t admit that what she did was wrong and apologize to everyone, especially the lines person? Suspend her ******* ****** ***** ***no matter the financial consequences. Seems to me that you’ve got some class acts coming up and coming back to the women’s tennis scene, so have some ***** and do the right thing USTA.
I feel that Serena being fined and the lost of the game is punishment enough. This is the first time that she has lost her cool on the court and she has had plenty of reasons for this to happen previously (french open-capriat; US open-henin; and some other poor calls).
The racquet is in her hand…its not like she picked it up to have her words with this blind lines person. You can challange calls for everything else, but there was nothing she could do to receive justice. I wouldn’t apologize and she should not be suspended.
Suspension. It is a major offense. She was very threatening. Any sort of leniency will send the wrong message. Not even an apology to the linesperson even the next day..What a shame!
Both fine and suspension. She thinks she is bigger than the sport. It’s time for her to learn what sportsmanship really means.
She should be suspended for at least 6 months, a small fine wouldn’t help her retrospect her behavior. Zero tolerance to the threatening is the only way to keep the integrity of this sport.
I have been a USTA member for years! If this person, giving her a great benefit in using “person”, is not removed from membership in the USTA and fined the maximum…$250,000 I am removing my name from the USTA membership!!!! I just cannot believe the arrogance that this “person” exhibited towards a linesperson!!!! If this is acceptable beehavior in the USTA I will start watching hockey!!!! and I hate hockey!!!! Frank Q.
I think the line judge and the tennis officials should be fired for ruining the match. Where is the consistency when McEnroe and Connors just to name a few can raise all kinds of cain with the officials sometimes going on for 5 or 10 minutes cursing and swearing and not a point taken away but let Serena say a couple choice words to an idiot who would call such a ticky tack call in a crucial part of a major match and everyone is ready for a lynching ! How pathetic ! Most players will tell you the foot on line call is rarely even called especially on a second serve and especially when a match is on the line. I guess this is just another sign of the times we live in of political correctness in a nanny state where crybabies get their feeling hurt and run tell. U.S. open folks , GROW UP ! Quit with the double standards at least.I wish Serena would tell you all where you can stick that ball too ! She acted bad out of heat of the moment passion you acted like idiots because you are idiots and you folks ruined the match !
Nobody worried about sportsmanship and cried like babies when McEnroe and Connors when off all over the line and chair judges.You people now days are so pathetic. I guess if you are a woman the rules change or could it be that it`s different if you are black ? Why the double standard then ? You tell me !
Serena’s one of three competitive players left on the women’s side. Women’s tennis has become largely a field of has beens. Losing the match because of the bad call is more punishment than anything else could possibly be.
Hawkeye has proved how bad the linesmen (supposedly the best and brightest) are.
Also, Mary Carillo is simply annoying. I wish that Martina could do color for all women’s matches.
Serena has long been a graceless competitor.
She continues to show her thuggish attitude.
Even though her behavior deserves suspension (in my book), let’s be sure to set up Hawkeye for foot faults, so that players can simply challenge the calls.
Absolutely disgusting, disgraceful, tactless and tacky, classless, horrendous and blasphemous.
Suspension-YES. What kind of a message does this send to kids if there is not serious penalties for such behavior?
I am just sickened with this. No us open money at all and suspension NOW.
If you dont have the mentality to deal with angry players you should never, ever be a referee at a major. Everybody knows a player at this stage can loose it, but you also do know that the player would never abuse you for real.
To even make that ruling at that timing is just amazing. The first ruling I thought.. what? that was weird, have never seen it before. The final ruling I thought ***? stop allready, let us all enjoy the tennis and stop being such an wanna-be-referee-with-power-abuser. She clearly have issues and not alot of control in her personal life, and have an over-need for exposing it at the tennis court. Ive seen it before in my fotball”career”. Referees giving out red cards for abuse language missing a goal ect.. (not abusing a player or the referee, just ************* as a reaction of missing)”
The reason the line rule is there is to prevent players from getting an un-fair advantage, do you think the 2 mm or what Serena was over the line (if the even WAS over the line) was an so big advantage that she should loose her perfect serve?
If this continues I would definatly loose interest in watching televised tennis, it should be about the game, not some maniac referee.
And the behaviour? I would act 100000 x Serena for sure, so maybe, just maybe the referee would think twice next time he or she were tempted to overuse her referee-power.
Come on, we all know 9999999 out of 10000000 referees would NOT make that ruling.
It sure was the referees lucky day that no camera can say for sure if she even was over the line.
Suspend her. Her prepared statement did not contain an apology, so not only was her behavior unacceptable, she remains remorseless. I say suspend her for the entire 2010 season.
And if I were Nike, I’d pull sponsorship. Or at least create a new T-Shirt that says “Serena means never having to say you’re sorry.”
Justice needs to be done here, not justification of Serena’s actions. If she is not suspended, the classiness and sportsmanship of tennis will be tarnished.
The $10,000 fine is a joke. She earned about $450,000 in the tournament, so the fine is about 2% of what she earned. Why would she refrain from threatening linespeople in the future?
If she said what she said on the street she should expect to get physically attacked. She verbally abused the lines judge knowing that she couldn’t fight back. This behavior is reprehensible both as a tennis player and a person. She should be made an example of.
She deserves to be suspended. It is a privilege to play in that tournament and she is receiving $250,000 in prize money. SHe should lose all of it. The words she used against the referee could not be reprinted in most newspapers and then she has not outright apologized. Bullies are not good role models, and the excuse, well other people talk worse, is not an excuse either. The line judge was doing her job, Serena has a right to be unhappy about it, but her explosion is inexcusable and her comment after the situation and in interviews are worse. She has no remorse over what she did or said, she should be suspended and the prize money should be taken away. Enough is enough with professional athletes who exhibit bullying behavior. All that money is a privilege not an entitlement.
Something that people seem to be missing, though the committee probably won’t miss it, is that Serena committed assault. When you threaten someone, once you raise a hand or an object in aggression, it is no longer a threat. McEnroe, Connors, etc.–as disgusting as they were–did not go that far. (And for the record–I thought McEnroe should have been banned from several tournaments.)
Also, when people see the Tennis Channel footage, shot from a better angle, they generally conclude there was a foot fault. At any rate, it is the lineswoman’s job to call faults, regardless of the timing. A linesperson who decides arbitrarily when to refrain from calling a fault is a bad official.
she embarrassed me in my living by even having the women’s final on in the prescence of guests.
that poor little asain woman looked scared to death. is this tirade enough to intimidate future judges from calling against “the beast”?
some sort of suspension is very necessary.
Australia anyone?
I think she should be fined and suspended. In America that is called a threat, and for the common man it is illegal to do that. It should be illegal for Serena also. That is the worst outbust I have ever seen in tennis. Far worse than Johnny Mack! And to think she should not have to apologize? Het temper has been excused long enough. It is time to set an example again!
What a ridiculous comment. I wonder if you have some other agenda here. Do you really think Serena would kill this umpire? Do you think everytime anybody has uttered the phrase “I’m gonna kill that….” they meant they were actually going to? It seems to me you (as was the line judge) are unable to differentiate between venting and intent.
That’s just ridiculous. What does the suspension and apology have to do with each other? She apologized late, does that mean no suspension? While not condoning what Serena did (it was not cool) the line judge was way out of order thinking her life was in danger. That line judge should never be allowed to officiate another event if her skin is that thin.
Why the * should she, shut the * up and leave her alone!
“Verbal abuse?” Really? I don’t think so. An angry outburst, yes, but not one that should be worthy of suspension! There’s not even evidence that the foot fault call was accurate. The line judge over-refereed and was more than a little ridiculous, frankly, and Serena had every right to be mad. It was a hugely important juncture in the game.
Turn the situation and apply into any other sport and reevaluate the calls for suspension and $100,000+ fines. Put yourself in Serena’s shoes and give the girl some grace.
Serena should be suspended for the rest of the year and the 2010 Australian Open. Her actions are inexcusable. Never have I seen or heard of a professional athlete threatening an official with bodily harm.
It is a threat to tell someone that you are gonna shove a “blank” tennis ball down their throat while holding a tennis racket in a threatening manner over their head.
This is tennis, not football or hockey. tennis has a code of conduct with specific rules.
She broke those rules! Plain and simple.
minimum 1 year suspension.
also, if there’s any justice, she’ll lose her most lucrative endorsement contracts.
physically threatening officials is BEYOND THE PALE.
also, 1 year suspension IS NOT HARSH, in my opinion.
why not consider a lifetime ban?
Double Fault: Serenas’s Loss of Serenity Reveals Both Race and Gender Bias
Can anyone still recall the hazy afterglow following the presidential election — that orgy of premature self-congratulation about suddenly becoming a “post racial” society?
That prematurity was on full display the other night in the women’s semifinal match at the U.S. Open between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters. Clijsters’s thrilling return to the women’s circuit was overshadowed by an intemperate outburst by Williams, who menacingly gestured to the line judge, who had just called a foot fault on a second serve which brought the game to match point. Williams exploded in a profanity laced-tirade. You don’t have to be a lip reader to see she yelled that she was going to shove that bright yellow tennis ball up the line judge’s butt.
Okay, let’s acknowledge that this was not Serena’s greatest moment, that she lost her temper — it was match point in the semi-finals, after all — and became both unhinged and enraged. And Serena is one big, strong woman. And a big strong black woman.
Those two last points, though, seem crucial. Serena’s outburst — and the rule-based, draconian penalty that cost her the match — were both racial and gendered. Let me be clear: I am not saying that the call was overtly, intentionally, racist or sexist. But the context for both the line judge’s reaction and the chair umpire’s call depended on Serena being a strong black woman.
Ask yourself this: would the line judge have felt so threatened had she been yelled at by perky, pretty little Melanie Oudin, all 5 foot 6 of her bouncy teenage self?
How about a white man? White men can express anger and outrage — indeed, they’re supposed to. It’s one of the few emotional men are allowed to express — and we express it often, and often without penalty. And sometimes we go even further. Don’t get mad, the saying goes, get even.
Hey, don’t take my word for it. See for yourself. One of the pleasures of the rainouts and rain delays that marred the end of the tournament schedule was that CBS and ESPN rebroadcast some “classic” matches from earlier eras, matches in which the ever-bratty Jimmy Connors’ rants and the once-bratty now elder statesman and superb TV commentator John McEnroe’s outbursts were greeted with whopping rallying cries and often supportive crowd reactions. Check it out here and here.
Line judges didn’t typically feel threatened by Marat Safin — and he’s 6 foot 4! (Safin broke 48 tennis racquets in 1999 alone.)
And watch Jimmy Connors in his famous 4th round match at the 1991 Open, when he twice explodes at the chair umpire (who seemed more bemused than afraid).
Note that Connors was not assessed any penalty, and went on to win the match. The crowd went wild.
Yes, Serena lost her temper, yelled and cursed at the line judge. Bad sportsmanship. Very bad. But the line judge said she felt her life had been threatened. (A charge Serena instantly and vehemently denied.)
Let’s face it: it’s different when black people get angry. Even black men. Being a 58-year-old Harvard professor with a cane didn’t protect Henry Louis Gates when he lost his cool. And Joe Wilson sure felt entitled to express his outrage at that uppity black guy — except that uppity black guy lecturing him happened to be the President. Being the Commander in Chief of the world’s most powerful military didn’t protect President Obama either.
Nor did being arguably the best female tennis player in the world protect Serena. She was a furious black woman with a weapon. Serena was neither ladylike nor did she “act white” and keep her cool.
The fans booed Serena, as they surely would have if President Obama had ever taken the bait and replied to relentless race-baiting in anything but an even-tempered, even-cadenced, tone. But make no mistake: those same fans found John McEnroe’s antics “cute” and Jimmy Connors’ constant tirades energizing, and plenty of other white male players just too tightly wound.
Memo to Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilifred Tsonga and James Blake: do not ever lose your temper. Ever. Memo to Venus Williams: double ditto.
America’s post-racialist glow only lasts as long as you stay more serene than Serena.
Some people prejudices are so blatantly exposed in their posts.
I don’t think she should be suspended, absolutely not. Finely more and heavily, yes but not suspension.
Wow are u judgemental! The linesperson was just as much at fault. I certainly hope if you get into hot water people treat u better than u r Serena! You can’t judge since u were not in er shoes.
Sad, but true! Even Rodger Federer had a tirade at the umpire and he was just indulged. Really sad. I for one LOVE Serena and really appreciate what she and Venus have done for women’s tennis.
You are so wrong, shhe never touched that woman, though in Serena’s place I probably would have. Come on it was so close to te end of the match and a dumb and incorrect call ends it? If she had not made that call, nothing would have been out of the ordinary and Serena probably would have taken it to a 3 set game. Man, you are way over the top in your punishment! One incident cannot(!) outweigh all the good Serena has done for women’s tennis in America. In fact without them there would be NO women’s tennis in America. Think about that before you act as if you are a higher power!
Them being Serena and Venus, of course.
you know I would really like to see the LINE JUDGES with EAR PLUGS and in a BOX so they could only see the ground they a responsible for and not hear anything, only tell then would we see a fair game.
fidelis | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
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you know I would really like to see the LINE JUDGES with EAR PLUGS and in a BOX so they could only see the ground they ar responsible for and not hear anything, only till then would we see a fair game.
Why is this still being debated? Ms. Williams has been fined, lost the tournament and has suffered enough personal and professional ridicule for the past two weeks now. I believe she has learned a very valuable less, one that she won’t soon forget.
Maybe the fine was small compared to her current worth. Does that really matter? In this economy, $10,000 is not a drop in the hat no matter how you look at it. Suspension would just be ridiculous. If she is suspended then you would have to go back and view a lot of other tournaments. There are quite a few people, men and women, that would have been suspended for doing far worse.
And for the record, Ms. Williams was approximately 4 feet from the lines person. I don’t think that that can be viewed as being in her face. She was angry no doubt, but would she have attacked this person. I say not! While her behavior may not have displayed this, she was raised with good valued. She just forgot herself, unfortunately, on national TV. If the linesperson had been a 5′ 10″, 160 pound woman, would we still be saying that she was threatended. I for one, if I feel threatened, I would have said something and taken my own chances with the tournament heads. I think the linesperson did not see another way out once she had opened her mouth except to say that she was threatened.
And, why I ask, should she have been disqualified from the doubles? Venus did nothing. Should she have been penalized? That is what would have happened if Serena had not been allowed to play.
Bad language is not well received. But we are not innocent. We have all heard it and use it at one time or another. Is it right? Maybe, maybe not. It is a personal choice.
I don’t think that her reaction will be received badly by the youth. If their parents, and/or coaches, talk with them and explain about acceptable behavior, I think the youth will be fine. Kids today have far greater things to deal with or worry about than someone having a tirade on television. Besides, they are a lot more forgiving than adults. Their skin is not so thin that they can’t differentiate between good and bad behavior.
We as fans don’t really want to stand for suspensions by tournament officials; not just at tennis. It has never been good for baseball, football or hockley. Oh, you all can tout how it would be the right thing to do. The minute any big names are missing from tournaments, everyone wants to turn away and figure it isn’t worth watching.
All of these athletes, including Serena, have put in the work to get where they are. How can people think that they haven’t. Sure, we don’t like the salaries but this is one of those things that is out of the public’s hands. We, the public, have to share in some of the blame for this. We popularize or idolize the athletic icons. The sponsors and officials are only following our lead.
As for someone mentioning that she should lose her Nike contract. Why? Did Michael Phelps lose his for allegedly smoking dope in a photo? Why should he? We don’t know if he was smoking or not. He has stated that he wasn’t. I personally don’t care if he was or wasn’t. He is still a great athlete and kids look up to him for that and nothing more. We have to remember that while they are adults, all of these athletes are still very young and feeling their way through life. They are going to make mistakes. It is up to us to help them make the right decisions and choices available.
Are we in such a state that we cannot forgive or forget? We all know what she has done and I don’t think anyone is condoning her behavior. We should also not condemn her either. The Williams, Billy Jean King, Cheryl Swoops, Lisa Lesly, Althea Gibson, Maria Sharpova, Martina Navrotola as well as a few other athletes, have done great things for women’s sports, not just tennis. This one incident should not, and will not, tarnish the person that she is.
Race should not be brought into this situation. For the record, Serena is not a “big black woman”. Her stats indicate that she is no taller than some of the other average women on the tour and while she appears buff, she does not weight any more than they do either. There are some “white” and/or “European” women on the tour that are taller and larger. No offense ladies. I am on your side but have to make a point here.
Gender may be another issue. Women have been treated unfairly in sports for decades. Will it change, probably not.
I for one was not offended. I know what she said and I know why she said it. I am ready to move on past all of this.
When are we going to stop making examples of certain people by punishing them extensively and sometimes ridiculously just to prove that we can and in some cases “who do he/she think they are”? Why don’t they show a replay of the controversial call like they do the line calls? It possibibly could have eliminated the “meltdown”. Oh, well we all learn from our mistakes, don’t we, or do we?????
Personally I dont even think she deserved a fine
less lone a suspension,& I will tell you why. I am not condoning what she said because it was not good,but I kind of understand what happened,although the lines people didnt have to, because she wasn’t on her A-game, they had made three bad calls earlier in the game,which she pointed out to them. It seems to me that that there are some people that do not want Serena to win as we have seen several times in the past( in other words they cheat the William sisters especially Serena.)I believe all of this Came to a head & Serena verbally let her have it. As far as McEnroe his behavior went on for approximately 7years befor they finally decided to suspend him, so the author of the other post should give the complete facts as presented in the article. This was Serena”s first incident so I feel a fine is SUFFICEINT.
The United States Tennis Association WILL NEVER do the right thing as far as puinishing bad behavior by tennis players is concerned. It is the fans themselves who should boycott the products sold by the offending player’s corporate sponsors so that person will be dropped like they are “guilty until proven guilty”! If I were to see that kind of behavior by Serena Williams or any other “professional” athlete that is what I would do-contact Nike or Reebok and tell them that I am boycotting their products until their client is made to behave himself while playing tennis(basketball, too).
Serena Williams THREATENED a line judge?!!For that she should be punished in “Beat-The-Dead-Horse” style,OVER and OVER again! She should be made to FORFEIT THE NEXT 3 U.S. Open Tennis Tournaments;lose her Nike endorsements(the irate fans who say they’ll BOYCOTT Nike if SW isn’t dropped should put their money where their mouths are and follow through);undergo Anger Management for at least 5 years before she is allowed to play tennis again;and FORCED TO RETIRE FROM TENNIS FOR KEEPS IF THERE ARE ANY FURTHER SELF-DESTRUCTIVE PUBLIC MELTDOWNS! The same punishments should be handed out to the MALE TENNIS PLAYERS WHO CROSS THE LINE!
The United States Tennis Association is like a decaying(or decayed) building that SHOULD BE RAZED(as all condemned buildings are)and REBUILT FROM SCRATCH!!!Only when it is populated by swastika-wearing, power-corrupted despots abusing their powers with IMPUNITY will I believe that these people are doing their jobs properly! At present they should be punished even more for their NONFEASANCE(because they’re afraid of losing money) than for punishing the micreants of professional tennis too lightly.
I have played tennis but only for the enjoyment of the game.the Way to really STOP that kind of behavior is to be UN-AMERICAN and BOYCOTT Nike products until BOTH SERENA and VENUS WILLIAMS HAVE RETIRED FROM TENNIS FOR KEEPS. Then do the same when the MALE tennis players berate tennis officials. Professional Tennis DOES NOT need these people.
If I were at the U.S. Open(Tennis) I would be ROOTING FOR SERENA WILLIAMS TO FALL ON HER FACE BIG-TIME! I would be rooting for other WELL-BEHAVED tennis players to BEAT Serena Williams on the basis of her BEHAVIOR toward other players and tennis officials and linespeople(ESPECIALLY AFTER the incident in which Serena berated that lineswoman.The USTA needs rules(and it needs to enforce them consistently) that PROTECT linespeople from thuggish behavior, NO MATTER WHO’S DOING IT!
Tennis-especially when people are playing it for financial gain-is always BEST represented by people who let their special skills as tennis players do the talking for them. U.S. Open Tennis-and the people associated with it-must PURGE itself of tennis players who behave like hooligans! Tennis may be BORING to people who think that if the people who throw rackets and curse linespeople are gone but I’d rather have it that way. Tennis needs to LOSE these people. It is no great loss if Serena Williams retires along with her sister.
The United Staters Tennis Association SHOULD LOSE EVEN MORE MONEY(AND MORE THAN MONEY) for what it DOESN’T DO! The United States Tennis Association NEEDS TO SEND A VERY HARSH, UN-AMERICAN MESSAGE TO THESE TENNIS PLAYERS THAT THE ONLY THING ACTING LIKE A JUVENILE DELINQUENT ON THE TENNIS COURTS WILL GET YOU IS A 3-TOURNAMENT SUSPENSION! DAMNED IF YOU AND TEN TIMES AS DAMNED IF YOU DON’T!