[ $10K is the max they can fine on-site.. they'll be reviewing the
incident for further fines ]
NEW YORK -- The U.S. Open has fined Serena Williams $10,000 for her tirade directed at a line judge at the end of a semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters.
It's the maximum on-site fine a Grand Slam tennis tournament can issue for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The U.S. Open said Sunday the Grand Slam Committee Administrator has opened an investigation to determine whether Williams' behavior should be considered a "major offense," which can lead to additional penalties.
Williams also is being docked $500 for racket abuse in what became a 6-4, 7-5 loss Saturday night.
"Serena Williams' conduct last night was inappropriate and unprofessional," WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement. "No matter what the circumstances, no player should be allowed to engage in such behavior without suffering consequences. I have spoken with the USTA about this matter and I agree with the action they have taken."
Williams earned $350,000 in prize money for reaching the singles semifinals. She also is scheduled to play in the women's doubles final Monday with her sister Venus.
Williams issued a statement on Sunday night.
"Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job," it read. "Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don't agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human and I look forward to continuing the journey, both professionally and personally, with you all as I move forward and grow from this experience."
Allaster had some positive words for Williams as well.
"Serena is a great player who has done so much for our sport and I am certain she will continue to be a role model to millions of young women who want to play the game and excel as Serena has done," her statement said. "As a role model, it's important for a leader like Serena to step forward and recognize her behavior last night was unacceptable, and I believe that her statement earlier today is an acknowledgement of her responsibility to her fans."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
incident for further fines ]
NEW YORK -- The U.S. Open has fined Serena Williams $10,000 for her tirade directed at a line judge at the end of a semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters.
It's the maximum on-site fine a Grand Slam tennis tournament can issue for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The U.S. Open said Sunday the Grand Slam Committee Administrator has opened an investigation to determine whether Williams' behavior should be considered a "major offense," which can lead to additional penalties.
Williams also is being docked $500 for racket abuse in what became a 6-4, 7-5 loss Saturday night.
"Serena Williams' conduct last night was inappropriate and unprofessional," WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement. "No matter what the circumstances, no player should be allowed to engage in such behavior without suffering consequences. I have spoken with the USTA about this matter and I agree with the action they have taken."
Williams earned $350,000 in prize money for reaching the singles semifinals. She also is scheduled to play in the women's doubles final Monday with her sister Venus.
Williams issued a statement on Sunday night.
"Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job," it read. "Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don't agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human and I look forward to continuing the journey, both professionally and personally, with you all as I move forward and grow from this experience."
Allaster had some positive words for Williams as well.
"Serena is a great player who has done so much for our sport and I am certain she will continue to be a role model to millions of young women who want to play the game and excel as Serena has done," her statement said. "As a role model, it's important for a leader like Serena to step forward and recognize her behavior last night was unacceptable, and I believe that her statement earlier today is an acknowledgement of her responsibility to her fans."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
So if your kid ever becomes a world class ranked player, and throws a temper tantrum because he or she doesn't get a call, you are OK with 4 million fans telling you what a spoiled brat he or she is, and even if they don't say it to your face they think, 'that kid must have crappy parents for he or she to act like that in public'
I am confident I would pay no attention whatsoever to anything 4 million sports fans might say about my kid if he/she were honorably performing at world class level and raking.
As for any angst (my word of the day) I might feel about someone thinking, "he/she must have crappy parents", I would just point to the scoreboard and ask 'em where their kid is ranked.
with all due respect , someone with the mental capacity to condone that kind of behavior from their children , couldnt possibly produce kids that could perform at a world class level at anything..
when you say " world class level " , notice the word " class " ?
every parent should strive to teach their children what that word means.
*I thought it had been determined on Pages 1&2 of this here thread that Richard Williams was "classless", but somehow he managed to raise not one, but two world class performers.
*Sure I noticed the word "class". Thanks to my English education I realize that in this context it refers to a level of performance, not a ranking on the Weekly Emily Post listing.
I agree. She yelled at a judge a couple times in a huge match on a huge call in the heat of the moment. It's not like she went over and smacked her upside the head with her racket. Lot of people just dislike the Williams. If Kim had done the same you can be sure nobody would be talking about it on here.
based on your take in this thread , i wouldnt wait by phone for anyone to call asking parenting advice...
the fact that your kids are older and i have a 14 year old really doesnt have much to do with this topic.
my daughter's behavior in public is the least of my worries based on the respect for others she has shown for 14 consecutive years.
