Serena Williams fined $10,500 for US Open semifinal scandal

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Wilson Blade 9

Serena WilliamsSerena Williams was fined $10,500 by officials at the US Open and could face further sanctions for her angry outburst during the semifinal against Kim Clijsters.

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Stacey Allaster issued a statement in support of the United States Tennis Association’s decision.

Serena Williams’ conduct last night was inappropriate and unprofessional. 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.

Pursuant to the Grand Slam Rule Book, the USTA fined Serena the maximum penalty of $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $500 for racquet abuse.

Not formally, but Serena Williams apologized to her fans via a written statement released by her management.

Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. 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.

(source: On the Baseline, photo by our reader Colleen)

11 COMMENTS

  1. She’s almost 30 already she is still the same person she always was. I think she should apologize privately and publicly to the lineswoman. I mean, if I didn’t read incorrectly she thinks the lineswoman does not deserve an apology from her simply because linesman and woman face angry players all the time.

    A fine isn’t enough. $10,500 isn’t a lot of money to big names like Serena Williams even though she thinks it’s a lot — it wouldn’t hurt her. Until she apologizes and all, I hope they’d ban and suspend her from the tour, a Grand Slam to be specific, she doesn’t care about other Mickey Mouse tournaments anyway.

  2. Oh my this has been a crazy open! It’s about time tennis became exciting again. Teerin, she apologised; and the fact that 10k isn’t much to her is irrelevant-she was served the maximum fine for her wrongdoing.
    The only thing that would make this open a truly memorable one is if delPo would beat the crap out of Crybaby Roger in this final. I’m sick of the fact that he’s been donned ‘the greatest’ when he didn’t defeay his greatest rival (who could barely walk let alone play a tennis match). Yes I know this is a women’s forum, and I’m not trying to be disrespectful/rude, I’m just so excited watching this final and following everything!

  3. I am so glad KIMIE won! Made my day!

    As for Serena…only $10,500!!??
    Wow…propaganda! she should have been fined ten times more and suspended as well!

    I heard from many news stations that her nationality indeed effected her. If she did that on any other grand slam she would go through hell…like this she just payes a minimal fee and is taken off hook with a smile on her face!

    Look what happened to Djokovic last year…and how the reporters KILLED him! If he, or any other non-American did that they would not even think of coming back to the US OPEN!

    I actually agree with the oppinion!

    Cheers Marija!

  4. she is only human and no body has the right to judge her, THANK YOU! she wont even FEEL the fine that’ll will save her a lot!!!

    Serena ROCKS!!!…and that’s the fact!

  5. Serena thinks she is bigger than the game. Well, I think it was about the time someone showed her she’s very very wrong. I think she is too rich already so even a big fine would not mean much to her,she’d probably just do a new tacky clothing line… I think she should be suspended for at least half of the season if not the whole year so she can think about her attitude and knock off some of that distasteful arrogance.

  6. Marine- It is obvious you don’t like Serena anyway. “She’s too rich already….” Are you kidding me? She, like many others, has put in the hard work and is good at what they do. I guess she should feel bad about that? Get over it!

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