Serena Williams Unleashes Her Wrath On U.S. Open Official, Again
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AP/Matt Slocum
Serena Williams unleashed her wrath again on another U.S. Open official when she was called out for on court hindrance during Sunday’s women’s final. Williams, who may have now tarnished her charmed comeback after injuries and medical problems kept her off court for almost a full year, ultimately lost the match and tournament title to Australia’s Samantha Stosur, 6-2, 6-3.
Williams, 29, and Stosur, 27, were in the first game of the match’s second set when the Australian went after Williams’ forehand shot. But just before the ball hit Stosur’s racket, Williams belted out “Come on!” Stosur barely tapped the ball, and the score went from 30-40 to deuce.
Eva Asderaki, the chair umpire at Arthur Ashe Stadium, gave Williams a code violation and a point penalty — giving the game to Stosur.
Reacting to the decision, Williams did not quite have a repeat of her 2009 on court calamity, when she physically threatened a lineswoman who called her for a foot foul in an obscenity-ridden rant. But she was heard to say the following to the umpire:
“Don’t even look at me. I promise you, don’t look at me … Don’t look my way,” “What a loser,” “You’re a hater,” “A code violation because I expressed who I am? Really?” But the kicker – which could potentially be seen as a threat was: “If you ever see me walking down the hall … walk the other way.”
Williams was called for hindrance, which is an interpretation of her yell of “Come on!” as deliberate interference. Once the point and game were awarded to Stosur, the crowd at Arthur Ashe booed for over a full minute. But that didn’t slow the ninth-seeded Australian, who rallied against Williams, pushing the 13-time Grand Slam champ around the court with strong forehands and powerful serves.
It looks like Williams narrowly avoided another on court meltdown — along with the $82,500 fine and two-year probation by the Grand Slam committee that she was handed after her notorious 2009 tirade. After her loss on Sunday, Williams explained herself.
“I just yelled, ‘Come on!’ ” Williams said. “It was a great shot. It was beautiful. I hit it like right in the sweet spot. I don’t know. It was a good shot, and it was the only good shot I think I hit. I was like, ‘Woo Hoo!”
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Not professional or civilized. Your mind is is the dumpster if you are thinkingabout fighting a umpire.
Posted by: Benjamin | September 12, 2011, 12:56 am 12:56 am
She said to the umpire—–”Aren’t you the one who ______ me over last time here?” She harassed the umpire for the rest of the match. The umpire was NOT the same person. And yelling “come on!” at Stosur is not the same as “woo hoo”. It’s an in your face comment, and it was shouted while the ball was still in play. It was a disgusting display. I hope she is fined for her behavior with the umpire.
Posted by: free_2_choose | September 12, 2011, 1:05 am 1:05 am
I find it hilarious how Sharapova and Azarenka can scream (whoever claims those are grunts are deaf) while the ball crosses the plain of the net and toward their opponent, but Serena unintentionally says “Come on” and the umpire calls “intentional hinderance” giving Stosur a break of serve. Their screams are just as much as a hinderance. Stosur had no chance of getting that ball back over or even near the net. It has always been Serena against the world. If it weren’t for Serena’s first tirade, as y’all like to call them, in her match versus Capriati (which the umpire was at fault) the challenge system wouldn’t be in place. The second a call on a foot fault that has since been proven to not have been a foot fault at all. She is a fighter, and you do not become the greatest female tennis player of all time and win thirteen major titles by being silent. Serena gave Stosur all credit for winning the match, but had every right to be angry at the umpire. People can say whatever they want about Serena, but she has proven countless times that she is the best by coming back after little practice and win majors. If it weren’t for the Williams sisters, who I feel will still be strong contenders for majors, women’s tennis would be boring. Congrats Serena on making to your 17th major final (13 of those wins).
Posted by: Kyle | September 12, 2011, 1:49 am 1:49 am
Serena has a lot of growing-up & character building to do! The violation was clear & warranted to anyone watching the tennis match & her reaction, once again, was an embarassment to herself, her family, & to all her fans!!!! As an African-American & a fan of tennis, it was hard to watch!!!! “You can take the girl out of Compton, but you can’t take the Compton out the girl”. Not a proud moment for her & her family, especially after she had just spent time w/the 1st Lady, Michelle Obama. Serena would definitely benefit from anger management counseling, as her temper under pressure is explosive!!!!
Posted by: Janet | September 12, 2011, 2:08 am 2:08 am
Hundreds of articles about this game and no-one states the obvious because it is not politically correct. Stosur won because she moved an overweight Setena Williams from side to side until she couldn’t breathe. Forget the rant. Williams needs to drop a stack of weight because you can’t hit what you can’t reach!
Posted by: Nick | September 12, 2011, 2:19 am 2:19 am
And of course Serena’s mother just has to say it’s always us…it always happens to us. Oh really? I can think of a lot of tennis players other than your spoiled brats who have been penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior. And yes, yelling out something very loudly from the net towards your opponent before she’s even had a chance to hit the ball is definitely playing unfairly. And yes, Mrs. Williams that’s why your children inherit consequences whether they like it or not.
p.s. It seems the only thing bigger than Serena’s enormous a$$ is her bigger mouth.
Posted by: Dale | September 12, 2011, 2:22 am 2:22 am
If she gets suspended and loses the opportunity to play in next year’s Open, that’s just fine. We don’t miss her or her goon family at all at PNB Paribas out here in Palm Springs.
Posted by: Dale | September 12, 2011, 2:26 am 2:26 am
Serena did not use profanity. The umpire called it wrong. That was the same ref that called the wrong call. Serana is still the better overall player.
Posted by: Nothinghaschanged | September 12, 2011, 4:08 am 4:08 am
The racists comments against Serena are truly disgusting. I pray to Jesus that many of you become strong enough to shake Satan from your heart and learn how to love and to forgive. You must be truly disappointed in the way that many of your lives have turned out and your HATE, jealousy and racism is so sad. Your inability so see other races as your equal will prevent you from entering Heaven, definitely. Not all of you, but many of you need to ask God for forgiveness tonight. The only one who truly won today, in what used to be a Christian nation, is Satan. You can spend the rest of eternity with him or you can break free and pray to Jesus for forgiveness. None of you are any better than or fit to judge the behavior that Serena displayed today. The behavior which, legend John Macenroe made into an ‘art form’. What an ugly hate mob you have become. I still love you all and pray for you tonight!
Posted by: justatennisfan | September 12, 2011, 4:36 am 4:36 am
“find it hilarious how Sharapova and Azarenka can scream (whoever claims those are grunts are deaf) while the ball crosses the plain of the net and toward their opponent, but Serena unintentionally says “Come on” and the umpire calls “intentional hinderance” giving Stosur a break of serve.” You can make any noise when YOU hit the ball, but you can’t comment when your opponent hits the ball. This is an old rule. In fact, it was used at this US open against Bartolli, who made the same mistake as Serena. If fact, Serena was cited for the same mistake before, at Dubai. Thus she is aware of this rule.
Posted by: maria | September 12, 2011, 4:47 am 4:47 am
“The racists comments against Serena are truly disgusting. ” Don’t play the race card…please. You asks us to pray for forgiveness? What for? Serena should pray for forgiveness…or, at least apologize. She never apologize for her behavior. Neither will you…you call other people racist, jealous, full of hate. Our only crime is that we don’t worship the precious Serena, as you do.
Posted by: maria | September 12, 2011, 4:52 am 4:52 am
“Serena did not use profanity. The umpire called it wrong. That was the same ref that called the wrong call. Serana is still the better overall player.”
Is it OK to abuse people without using profanity? The umpire was right. The rule is the rule. Serena expected a preferential treatment, she didn’t get it, and she got mad. Typical entitlement trap. Serena is not the best player….she used to be a great player, but that time is over. Sam Stosur won the game.
Posted by: maria | September 12, 2011, 4:55 am 4:55 am
Nothinghaschanged, do you know the rules of tennis? I doubt. All that matters for you is the race issue. I give you a hint, the world is not black and white.
Posted by: maria | September 12, 2011, 4:58 am 4:58 am
Hi Maria,
Serena and I both worship Jehovah God, our Lord and creator. Stop worshiping Satan. This was just a tennis game. You have no right to judge Serena. Her behavior was poor, but can you really cast a stone at her??? Please shake the devil from your heart.
Posted by: justatennisfan | September 12, 2011, 5:08 am 5:08 am
Ridiculous that Serena was penalized a point during the final. Ridiculous and I hope she boycotts the US Open next year! This is the second time referees/umpires have made absurd rulings against her. Serena is a great player and a great sportswoman and has taken a bad rap. The idea that she had to play a final less than 24 hours after completing the semi-final while those in power made sure the guys had a full day off between the semi and the final – hey this is not fair. Her semi-final should have been scheduled earlier on Saturday. That was already an indication something was wrong. Is there racism in the US Open – unfortunately I have to say yes….and no I’m not African American. I am however a big fan of the Williams sisters. Congratulations to Sam Stosur for winning the final – however – she had the advantage
Posted by: Judy | September 12, 2011, 5:09 am 5:09 am
Biggest mistake the tennis biggies made was not stopping the grunting noises when Monica Seles started doing it just to distract opposing players, now they all do it. None the less, what Serena did was scream words(not allowed during play) just before her opponent hit ball, but worse than that was her tirade against chair umpire, totally disgusting.. this is the 2nd time, sorry enough of this tennis viewers want to watch tennis, women against women, men against men. Bad enough she has an advantage of being built bigger than most men, with her thunderous thighs and Kardashian size rear, now she wants to be allowed to scream during matches, no no, suspend her… till she gets the message
Posted by: James | September 12, 2011, 5:17 am 5:17 am
Anyone who plays serious tennis knows you can’t yell out just as your opponent is about to hit the ball. No people it’s not the same thing as grunting when you are hitting the ball. It’s trash talking is what it it and it’s not allowed in professional tennis and for good reason.
Ok, Serena made a mistake, lost a point, no big deal. She lost a lot of points that day. But the verbal tirade she unleashed on the chair ump, that was unbelievable. The whole tennis world heard it. And such absurd comments “you have a cold heart” “you’re an unhappy person”–ah, it was a tennis call Serena so you attacked her personally when you didn’t even know her why?
I will never be a Serena fan again. What a spoiled brat of a sore loser she is. What an embarrassment she is. I hope she gets fined 100k for that unbelievable tirade in front of the whole tennis world.
Posted by: joe | September 12, 2011, 7:33 am 7:33 am
“Serena did not use profanity. The umpire called it wrong. That was the same ref that called the wrong call. Serana is still the better overall player.”
erhm, this is not the same “ref” from 2009…get your facts right, fool.
Posted by: CS | September 12, 2011, 7:39 am 7:39 am
Better player won. Young Williams used to be on top of decision making on the court, when possible win begun to slip out of her hands, she pulled trick to distract opponent. Her celebrity status pushed her farther, to rant at official, make veiled threats, increasing distraction. Millions observed this, educative factor of tennis, and its famous sportsmanship character has been smeared. Many are pulling here racist card in defense of Serena, which is obvious nonsense- she alone is heating up this issue. If she get unscathed out of this, officials and tennis pundits will place themselves on her ethical level, which in light of facts is extremely low.
Posted by: bagart | September 12, 2011, 8:00 am 8:00 am
Yelling “come on” when your opponent is ready to hit the ball is the same as a runner in baseball yelling “I got it” as they pass the fielder when they are going to catch a fly ball. It is called unsportsmanlike conduct. She should have lost a point. She is not an amateur and should know better.
Posted by: Vince | September 12, 2011, 8:04 am 8:04 am
Why do you people keep arguing the chair ump call? That’s not the issue.
The issue is the behavior of a professional tennis player who, on national tv, went on a spoiled brat tirade yelling things like “Don’t even look at me. I promise you, don’t look at me … Don’t look my way,” “What a loser,” “You’re a hater,” “ “If you ever see me walking down the hall … walk the other way.”
—————–
Serena should be fined 100k for that tirade. And if anything like that garbage comes out of her mouth again, she should be banned from the sport for a period of time. Same as anybody else.
Posted by: joe | September 12, 2011, 8:21 am 8:21 am
Why is there so much support for unsportsmanlike behavior? How can Ms. Williams or anyone condone such behavior? Even if there are inequities in other games…does that make it right…and relying on the “they didn’t call it on so and so and so and so …” makes it ok for me to be rude and aggressive and try to bully the umpires. What does that say for Americans? We can’t act appropriately in public or civilized…we all have ANGER issues and always have to make a spectacle of ourselves probably for publicity…enough of this wide-open, rude, I’m always right and I dare anyone to question it behavior…is this a good lesson or model for our children?
Posted by: Jolie | September 12, 2011, 8:30 am 8:30 am
It was extra awful that this happened on 9/11 Sunday as well. Couldn’t she show her “ugly american” attitude on another day instead? Why is it that Venus is so classy and Serena is so bullish? They grow up in the same family and both were raised to be champions.
Posted by: Luke | September 12, 2011, 9:54 am 9:54 am
“The umpire called it wrong… Serana is still the better overall player.” If Williams is the better overall player, how does a one game wrong call hand Stosur a 6-2, 6-3 match? had the match gone to three sets, and the Stosur beat Willams by something like 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 I’d say that your opinion was correct. But 6-2, 6-3? Stop dreaming. At the best Williams was outplayed, at worst she was so immature about handling a (potentially) bad call that she beat herself.
Posted by: Publius | September 12, 2011, 9:55 am 9:55 am
Quote from FREE_TO_CHOOSE “She is a fighter, …”
Tennis is a game, not a fight. The game has rules. Serena broke them. There is a penalty for breaking the game rules. The penalty is designed to discourage hindering an opponent after the ball crosses the net. Perhaps this “fighter” should leave tennis and take up boxing, and change her name to “Serene-not”.
Posted by: Julie | September 12, 2011, 10:09 am 10:09 am
She breaks the rules and throws a hissy fit. She foot faulted 2 years ago and threw a tantrum. She yells during a point, get called on it, and throws another tantrum. Her, Venus, and her entire family are low life, classless pigs. They did alot for the sport, especially getting women paid the same as the men. But they’re fight to stay relevant has taken its toll. They ONLY play the majors and then complain when they’re not ranked high enough or are not placed on the main courts. They don’t take their game seriously anymore. Yall time is over. Go away.
Posted by: so-over-it | September 12, 2011, 10:33 am 10:33 am
I am so sick and tired of athletes and celebreties throwing tantrums, breaking the law and just being spoiled brats. They have chosen a lifestyle to put themselves into the spot light and be a role model yet their moral and ethical choices are having an extreme negative effect on everyone not to mention their own reputation. If you can’t control yourself and be professionals like the rest of us who are daily then quite your whinning, arguing and raging and get out of the business. Grow up and be the adults you are supposed to be.
Posted by: Tracy | September 12, 2011, 10:33 am 10:33 am
No one condones Serena’s behavior. She clearly had a meltdown and is responsible for her actions towards the chair. However, Serena (along with other black athletes under these circumstances) tend to harbor added hate and abuse due to their color, this is what crosses the line and makes the majority of the comments racist. Maria Sharapova cursed out an entire French crowd stating after her serve “take that ++++++++! Tim Henman, during his famous meltdown at the end of his career told a ball boy to “take your head out of your +++ and get me a [drink]. And John McEnroe, whom we all adore, constantly had a go at the chair. None of these players were called ‘uncivilized’, ‘ugly’, or ‘bullies’. And no one mentioned the fact that they were too wealthy, bad for the game or unsportsman (person) like. Tennis and all other sports are tarnished because sports fans use these forums to air their underlying prejudices at these very times and it’s noticed by many. Clearly, many of you resent Serena (and Nadal) and you are happy to be able to jump on this occasion to verbally abuse her. Warts and all, she is equal to you and I. She’s America, human and very imperfect. She saw her dream dissipate yesterday at the hands of a better opponent during the match and she, being aggressive which we happen to love, went too far. I was angry at her behavior, but I love what she brought to the game and I believe that she is one of the all time greatest champions! She’s no different than any of us who drive with road rage, or complain about things which happen in our lives, we all reach that point on a regular occasion. Yes, she should be forgiven, which is difficult to do when your heart is filled with hate, anger, jealousy, and racism. I’m Christian. I can’t be proud of this country when there is so much hate expressed by my fellow Americans. Someone mentioned Serena getting ugly on 9/11, but so many of you have followed the same path, displaying ugliness on what should have been a day of reflection. Can any of you really say that you are better than her? I don’t think so. Again, I’ll pray for God to come back to this country.
Posted by: justatennisfan | September 12, 2011, 10:36 am 10:36 am
It’s no different than John McEnroe yelling on the court in the 80′s.
Posted by: Alice | September 12, 2011, 10:49 am 10:49 am
Oh no she di-int! LOLOLOL!
Posted by: JoMommaDaddy | September 12, 2011, 11:08 am 11:08 am
If Serena doesn’t apologize it shows that she has no class. I don’t remember reading she ever apologized to the poor line judge two years ago. The little people are just doing their jobs and she just wants to intimidate them from her pedestal. It’s the typical diva mentality.
Posted by: Disappointed | September 12, 2011, 11:13 am 11:13 am
I have no problem with babes like Maria Sharapova grunting during matches. Women’s tennis is fun to watch, unlike the men’s matches. I would imagine the grunting brings in the ratings too. As for Serena, sh’es not as bad as McEnroe was in his day.
Posted by: Justin | September 12, 2011, 11:20 am 11:20 am
Serena is over-weight and was clearly losing. Her nasty arrogant attitude and poor sportsmanship, once again, won out over any common sense she might have left.
Posted by: Carla | September 12, 2011, 11:20 am 11:20 am
It wasn’t proper when McEnroe broke his opponents’ concentration with his rants and it is not appropriate now when Serena does it. That type of behavior should be penalized before it becomes commonplace. Tennis is a sport traditionally associated with proper etiquette and behavior. Even I regret all the times I threw my racquet across the net at my brother.
Posted by: Dennis | September 12, 2011, 11:22 am 11:22 am
There are some mixed opinions in this blog, however I have to say the most hilarious ones are the ones that are mixing religion and tennis. Good and Evil, South and West, Black or White….hmmm….
See some clear facts after reading most of your opinions, but have made a clear opinion myself. Remember this is tennis, and is set by rules, anything else you add to it is just speculation. Serena shouted “Come on” to distract her opponent before she even hit the ball. Serena was desperate and Watch the video please. Any comparison people have made to the Sharapova or Azarenka grunt’s are not valid. See the timing of their scream/grunts and compare to Serenas scritch last night. I was deliberate. FACT. The official decision is right and set by WTA rules. FACT. Serena’s rant to the tennis official was disgusting, innapropriate, bullying, threatening, undeserved, and so on. Is was flagrant and addressed to bully the offical and alter Stosurs game. FACT. The most racist and xenophobic individual last night was Serena herself. Proven record of that, US Open semis 2009, rants to Asian-american line judge and now a greek offical (“…blablabla this is America…”). She likes to play the victim, although she is always the victimaiser. FACT. Serena very few times admits wrongdoing, best example last night, when during the press conference she “forgot” about the whole match and rant. FACT. Stosur was the better player last night and rightfully she won because of her game. Let’s celebbrate that, rather than put all the attention on Serena unethical and unsportsmanship behavior (which i have inevitably been driven to do).
Posted by: Carlos | September 12, 2011, 11:31 am 11:31 am
It’s not even that she throws tantrums and acts like a 14 year old spoiled brat; it’s the fact she personally attacks someone who is just doing their job. A person who no doubt doesn’t get millions of dollars to put up with sore losers like Serena. How about she takes some time off from tennis to sit with a psychiatrist. We could all benefit.
Posted by: Tim | September 12, 2011, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Geez I hope serena’s mom doesn’t spread rumors about Sam. She did it to Clisters. As far as comparing serena to McEnroe, Fish, Roddick, etc. They (all men btw) berated/name-called umpires. serena threatened these people. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. NO COMPARISON.
Posted by: jarina | September 12, 2011, 11:38 am 11:38 am
Serena is a gorgeous big black woman. I would love to have her play with my (tennis) balls.
Posted by: satanlovesvulva | September 12, 2011, 11:39 am 11:39 am
SERENA HAS MORE CLASS IN HER LITTLE FINGER THAN MOST OF YOU DO IN YOUR WHOLE BODY.
DON’T FORGET ALSO SERENA HAD TO PLAY BASICALLY 2 MATCHES IN 24HRS. BIG ADVANTAGE FOR HER OPPONENT. COME PEOPLE SHOW SOME CLASS.
Posted by: sam | September 12, 2011, 11:53 am 11:53 am
She is on her way down, so blaming someone else for her mistakes is her way out.
Posted by: markus | September 12, 2011, 11:59 am 11:59 am
I previously posted a comment that was removed.
The comment was that the author of this article misquotes the only ‘threatening’ aspect of Serena’s diatribe. By using the misquote (a paraphrase of what another sportscaster incorrectly quoted Serena as saying), it gives the impression that Serena actually intimated a threat to the umpire.
Here’s what this author quotes Serena as saying “If you ever see me walking down the hall … walk the other way.”
…however, this is what Serena actually said: “If you ever see me walking down the hall … LOOK the other way.”
To the moderator, if it is possible to not delete and censor my comment this time so that people can see the slight difference between what Serena’s accused of saying versus which words actually came out her mouth, that would be greatly appreciated
Posted by: UKN | September 12, 2011, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
I am more curious that Serena thinks all blonde umpires look alike. Hmmm???
Posted by: Steve | September 12, 2011, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS A CLASS ACT. IT’S ONE THING TO ARGUE AND GIVE THE REF A HARD TIM IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT . BUT TO MAKE A THREAT?? COME ON SERENA. YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO NEVER HAVE TO WORRY AND YOU HAVE TO RESORT TO THIS?? I THINK AN APOLOGY IS IN ORDER, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES AND SAY THINGS WE DON’T MEAN BUT WE STILL HAVE TO STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS, SO MAKE A PUBLIC AND PRIVATE APOLOGY AND ALL IS FORGOTTEN…
Posted by: GREG SHULT | September 12, 2011, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
As chair ump, I would have removed my credentials and then gone postal on her. It would be the last time she threatened ANY official.
Posted by: s | September 12, 2011, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
The Williams sisters are good players who have the chance to influance more kids in the US to take up tennis. I hope Serena in particular with take this responsibility seriously.
Posted by: Hoosier | September 12, 2011, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Clearly she watched too much Sponge Bob as a kid.
Posted by: Jim | September 12, 2011, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
This has everything to do with race………………..
meaning….
Serena is a embarrassment to her race and to be playing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium…
She is and always has been and played like a bully with a horrible attitude and no respect for others
She thinks her xxxx does not stink and she never takes responsibility for her actions as horrible as they are.
Just goes to show you cannot take the ghetto out of her by putting her big xxx in a skirt and on a tennis court
Sad….so sad
Give her another fine $$$…already done…..
Put her on probation……… already done…..
She knew what she was doing when she displayed her “true colors”….again….
She is suppose to be a professional….she knows the rules of the sport/game…
They need to follow the rules set in place for all players regarding this type of behavior
No more fines or more probation because that didn’t work. They need to follow the rules, follow through with them as they would with any player of any color male or female.
Posted by: denver | September 12, 2011, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
From Carlos: “the most hilarious [comments] are the ones that are mixing religion and tennis.” Yes Carlos, religion is a part of life and it goes with everything, even the racist comments aired on this discussion board following the ladies single tennis final. America was once a Christian nation that has now lost its way. Remember your comments when you stand before Christ and give a testimony about your life!
Posted by: justatennisfan | September 12, 2011, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Tennis registers higher on the Snooze-O-Meter than NASCAR and soccer.
Posted by: AtilatheHun101 | September 12, 2011, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
An uncivilized low-life prima donna who should never be allowed on a court again. She tarnishes the game each time she soils a racket by picking it up.
Posted by: americangiant | September 12, 2011, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
And she claims to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Don’t they profess to be mild tempered and nice. And from what I know of that church is that they would be caught dead wearing the short, skimpy things this woman has been caught wearing, mostly off the court.
Posted by: Come On | September 12, 2011, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
While she may not believe she deserved the call, she could have handled it differently. I think she owes the umpire an apology and she ought to get some anger management sessions scheduled. At not time should a tennis play get away with threatening an umpire. She showed no class and ought to be punished.
Posted by: nancy | September 12, 2011, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
This is not a race issue except when Williams makes it one. Those before her who acted this way – McEnroe, Connors, Nastasi, Navratilova (on occasion), were all sanctioned, etc. for their behaviors and people either loved them or hated them – same as today. The fact is the Williams sisters, and Serena in particular, always seem to have some dramatic issue whenever they fall behind. I remember watching a match several years ago where Serena repeatedly had to go to the restroom during the match and then required a lengthy massage once she returned. By the time the match got back underway, her opponent was ice-cold and obviously affected by the long delay. It was obviously a ploy and Serena played brilliantly with no signs of illness or injury once she saw her opponent had been marginalized. These are the behaviors that turn fans off. The fact that she happens to be black and does these things should not make them acceptable. THAT would be racism.
Posted by: Paula | September 12, 2011, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Typical! What do you expect?
Posted by: al | September 12, 2011, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
You see video and she clearly extends her grunting.Serena was wrong period.
Posted by: Tarcules | September 12, 2011, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
The onlyl difference between Serena and the other womens tennis player is her color. sorry to say but it is true. She played horrible yesterday and deserved to lose, but many other players do the same thing but no one blinks an eye.
Posted by: truth teller | September 12, 2011, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Serena Williams’ behavior during yesterday’s final, verbally assaulting and threatening the chair umpire, was once again egregious. Nonetheless, she plays the race and rage card.
Williams’ intimidation tactics are obvious. She not only yells “COME ON!” in the middle of a point– whether she admits it or not, clearly intended to thwart her opponent’s return–notice during the coin toss, when she and her opponent are assembled in close proximity at the net. Williams stands there, waving her racquet around in a service motion as if she’s stretching.
Nothing but a gratuitous and aggressive gesture.
Get serious, USTA. A fine of $2,000 is a guffaw to someone with her earnings–and an blanket insult to the other players who don’t routinely go on rampages.
Posted by: afs | September 12, 2011, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
This is her second “meltdown” forget a fine….she should be suspended for at least 1 year! She is clearly using the “angry black female” excuse for her thug behavior. If any average person with a job was to have a meltdown and threaten a supervisor they’d be fired!!! She is a joke….
Posted by: psimons | September 12, 2011, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
This is why faithful Jehovah’s Witness brothers and sisters should not be involved with worldly pursuits such as professional sports. Truly Serena’s time and efforts could be more useful pursuing the ministries interests.
Posted by: Alex | September 13, 2011, 7:11 am 7:11 am
Give it rest holy rollers. If you were “justatennisfan” then you would just stick to tennis. Enough already.
Just as you say all these people will have to explain themselves when they “face” christ, this embarassment to tennis will have to explain herself when someone confronts her one day. Who is she to speak to ANY human that way. The chair judge obviously showed a lot more self-control then serena ever could!
Posted by: Jay | September 13, 2011, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
I have been reading many of these comments. I pray to God to allow my anger to release before the sun sets. Most white Americans commenting on these boards about a wealthy, talented successful female athlete display & reveal their EVIL cancerous attitudes about blacks & the undying racial hatred toward blacks. All of you are false liars. Truth is in heaven there will be peace and freedom from the white garbage and persons of evil intent who permeate these message boards. You have no victories. But take comfort in knowing that all of you will likely spend eternity in hell . Don’t worry it will be filled with many white Americans as long as its white that should make a lot of you happy. God will not allow evil lovers of injustice to enter His home. Too many of you are beyond hope hypocrites who cannot be fair, refuse to see truth and are incapable of understanding compassion fairness or any goodness. Truly you racists are the lost. How wonderful heaven will be without racists who are all Satans children. The “Evil one is a LOSER and so are his children.
Posted by: janese | September 13, 2011, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Serena should tone down the sinful behaviors draw nearer to God practice her faith. Perhaps this will be so in time. But Yes Serena Williams keep on fighting the good fight, keep on swinging your tennis racket at the U.S open We are a tough, resilient ever hopeful, never say die breed of people. We are creators, dreamers justice-lovers & truth-seekers. Don’t give evil the victory keep on playing , competing & winning the money & doing the good things you do with your cash. We good persons of good intent stand behind you. Be strong make your history, cherish truth and don’t allow white bullies & others of evil character to malign you or stop you from doing your job, reaching your goals & reaching for excellence. Keep your standards high. Remember that God/Jesus/Jehovah, Yaweh loves you and so do His people we show compassion, seek truth give understanding and know right from wrong. Not living on hatred envy & bitterness. The name-calling is sickening. America is such a sad degenerate immoral nation. It’s a place where garabage is pumped out continuosly in language, music, books, TV, discourse hatred is celebrated, corruption is everywhere immorality, violence, drugs, jealousy all the idol of worship. False idols, materialism, greed, nastiness, lewdness, injustice, perversion you name it its in american culture. To hear folks whine about something innane as the image of “tennis: what does this mean exactly? Tennis is permeated by all kinds of low-life behaviors, child abusers, homosexual pedophiles, violence, drug addicts, corruption, prostitution young women being pushed to “sell sex”. Give me a break the trash of hypocrisy really piles up and guess what? It truly stinks. Fairplay, truth, impartially in applying the rules matter more than all the lying and hidden motives. Serena mouthed a few worlds to an umpire who was cheating against her. A lesbian umpire cheating to help out the scoreline of serena’s lesbian opponent.. How dare a black woman speak to a white woman this way (this is the crux of the hate). Sam Stosur should stop practicing lesbianism. She a good player but her dominance is from a laboratory. There’s too much wrong with tennis most of all it is a very Godl hating sport..
Posted by: janese | September 13, 2011, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
No matter how well a person plays a particular sport that person SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ANY WIGGLE ROOM FOR VERBALLY ABUSING OR THREATENING LINESPEOPLE. SERENA WILLIAMS IS ON HER WAY DOWN!
Posted by: Peter M. Arel | October 22, 2011, 12:32 am 12:32 am
People say that WITHOUT Venus and Serena Williams women’s tennis would be BORING.The United States Tennis Association is no help either. Unlkess and until it starts OVERPENALIZING players for unsportsmanlike conduct and acting like a bunch of power-corrupted despots in imposing penalties on the likes of Serena Williams, Andy Roddick(yes, he’s another one), we’re going to have plenty more incidents that are a blight on tennis.
Posted by: Peter M. Arel | October 22, 2011, 12:50 am 12:50 am
Firstly I have enjoyed browsing the posts on your site. However I’m not sure that I would agree that gold is an investment, maybe a store of value. 1. The price of gold is also very volatile.
Posted by: polo la martina | March 31, 2012, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm