Two days after threatening to shove a tennis ball down her throat, Serena Williams said she would like to give a U.S. Open line judge "a big ole hug."
Unfortunately, that happy -- heartfelt? -- reunion will have to wait. The Serena line judge, whose identity has remained a secret, will not be at the WTA Tour Championships next week in Doha, Qatar.
Neil Harman of The Times of London gave a few of the first-known details about the line judge, saying she is Japanese and travels the world calling lines. She was graded by her peers after the U.S. Open as among the top line judges throughout the U.S. Open Series of tournaments.
Here is what Harman wrote:
"The umpiring fraternity, which holds the lineswoman in high regard, believes that she was told not to travel to the Middle East because of the possible drama her presence might provoke, while the WTA insisted last night that she had been invited to attend and declined for family reasons."
Meanwhile, the International Tennis Federation continues its investigation, and it took real effort not to put quote-marks around the word investigation.
What could possibly be taking so long? The whole thing is on tape. The question is whether Williams will be fined more than the $10,500 she was already hit with, and also whether she will be suspended. A suspension could include major championships.
The call in question came with Williams just two points from losing to Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open semifinals. Williams foot-faulted on her second-serve at 15-30, and then, after her f-bomb-laced, racquet-waving threats, was given a point-penalty. That penalty on match point meant that Williams had lost.
Anyone sitting along the line, including me, saw that it was a clear foot fault. Williams acknowledged after the match that she thought she had foot-faulted, but then later that she had not.When the chair umpire called the line judge to the net to meet with two tournament officials, Williams approached, and said to the line judge, "Were you scared? Because I said I would hit you?" She later said she didn't know why the line judge would have been afraid.
A preliminary decision on any further punishments for Williams is expected around the end of the month. Williams then will have a chance to appeal.
The tournament in Doha could serve to determine who the final No. 1 player of the year is, as Williams is barely ahead of Dinara Safina in the computer rankings.
Best bet: The ITF won't have the nerve, after the angry divide in the debate over Williams' tirade, to suspend her from Doha and hand the year-end No. 1 ranking over to Safina. And it also won't have the stomach to suspend Williams from a major, as sponsors, networks and tournament directors would go nuts over the loss of the game's most marketable player.
Look for a big fine, and maybe a mandated "big ole hug."
Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com
U.S. Open Photos
Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic plays a shot during his match against Argentina's Juan Monaco (out of camera range) in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. TOPSHOTS / AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Australia's Peter Luczak plays a shot during his tennis match against Joachim Johansson of Sweden in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Australia's Peter Luczak plays a shot during his tennis match against Joachim Johansson of Sweden in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic plays a shot during his match against Argentina's Juan Monaco (out of camera range) in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-20-2009 @ 1:52AM
Katrina_1981 said...
I PRAY this mess is over soon. I also HOPE the ITF and WTA implements some sort of system where you CAN check for foot faults so there will be NO question whatsoever again as to calling foot faults. And finally, for as bad as Serena's outburst was (And I feel she should be fined more--but not suspended--that's OVERKILL IMHO,as this is the ONLY type of offense like this Serena's EVER had), I can totally see how she'd be spooked about ANYTHING happening to her at the US Open, given the fact that she played in one of the, if not the WORST called matches in tennis history--the 2004 US Open Semi-finals against Jennifer Capriati, where ALL the lines people AND chair umpire were 1,000% inept and totally crazy that night, and the whole world SAW that ineptness, which lead to the tennis replay system we have now. As much as I disagreed with Serena's actions/outburst in the 2009 US Open, and agreed with HUGE monetary fines, I could totally SEE her having the reactions in 2004 she had in 2009. HOW she kept her cool in 2004 is beyond me. I would have been inconsolable.
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10-22-2009 @ 8:28PM
openstance said...
Could not agree more or said any better. Neither sister has ever had any record for acting in this manner on court. Ever. Not even with all the historically bad calls that have gone against them. It's amazing how many people readily crucified Serena for this one incident and cried suspension and lifetime bans for one--repeat one--incident on a spotless record. Tennis has seen worse. Tennis has approved of worse (i.e. John McEnroe). And to those who cry that the sisters have no sportsmanship watch Serena's 2004 US Open match. Watch it. If you still feel the same then we know your comments are driven by more than actual facts.
10-20-2009 @ 8:03AM
Tom said...
Serena showed zero class and learned it from her low class Dad. She should be suspended for 6 months or more. I think she is racist and just doesn't like Asian people, I can assure you that she wouldn't speak this way to me in public or would her Dad Richard, I would tell him to shut up or I'd shut him up. Serena is low class and Tennis will be a lot better when she is out totally. Both sisters are poor sports and both have been juiced up on steroids and we all know it.
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10-20-2009 @ 11:40AM
HI CMA MAN said...
Serena is just a big mouth and a phony. Someone should check her blood. She looks like a man. She is lucky that she is not in the era of Martina and her likes, because, Martina would have OWNED her. Serena should be banned from at leats ONE MAJOR tournament to teach her a lesson in RESPECT.
10-20-2009 @ 1:10PM
FIELDS FAMILY said...
I have seen a lot of things in sports that I don't like. Poor sportsmanship in tennis as well as other sports. However, Serena and Venus do not have the reputation of being rude on the court. Since when does one infraction make a person a poor sport. Didn't know you had to have class to play sports. Just thought you had to have skills/talent. You be a good role model to your kids/relatives. When did it become the reponsibility of a SPORTS figure to replace your influence on your children. Grow up.
10-20-2009 @ 1:42PM
janmar1200 said...
I wish Mr. Williams could take my kids and do the same with them as his childen including dealing with people like you
10-20-2009 @ 3:52PM
tackyday said...
Shut Up Punk..Obama is YOUR PRESIDENT.. DUMB ASS
10-21-2009 @ 9:33AM
Nii Adu Ntreh said...
Tom I think that in issues like these we need cool heads and determination to keep our eyes on the ball. I don't think a lot of us are pleased with what Serena did and in fact are waiting to see what final decision/punishment is metted out to her. But to attack the father is as wrong as what we are all condemning. Don't you think the attack on her father and your unproven allegations of steriods use smells of something else? My dear friends two wrongs does not make anything right.
10-22-2009 @ 1:33PM
emntc97 said...
Tom, you are a racist jealous idiot. These tennis players are tested regularly for drugs. You are the one that is lacking class, posting this nonsense about steroids, and that you is going to shut her father up, which you know will never happen. Serena is rank #1, penalty free and it is not a damn thing you can do about it. So have a nice day!
10-23-2009 @ 6:05PM
rcovin2 said...
Talking about a racist. Look in the mirror. I guess John McEnroe was a racist also. And you know what I'm talking about.
10-20-2009 @ 8:20AM
Bob said...
Just like an employer who looks the other way when an offense is committed by a minority employee, the tennis officials are obviously cowering about handing out a well-deserved punishment to a high-profile minority player, knowing that thousands will defend that player based solely on her skin color, and cry discrimination. It doesn't matter about Serena's status on the charts, it simply comes down to the fact that she is one of two high-level black female tennis players, and regardless of how violent and classless her offense was, no one wants to be the one on record when the prejudice calls come in.
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10-20-2009 @ 8:41AM
john said...
where`s my angry little grumbgirl - love u
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10-20-2009 @ 10:59AM
bebbie0176 said...
Shame on your behavior Serena--the tennis world expects more of you--it takes no talent to act like a street thug--
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10-20-2009 @ 11:13AM
rikid23733 said...
Katrina, you obviously have not been following her career. This is not the first, second, or third offense! She has multiple offenses. She hasn't learned a thing from any of her previous offenses and feels she is above it all. Then they are worried about the race card. Suspend her now and get it over with. She deserves it!
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10-20-2009 @ 1:38PM
safee45 said...
Serena & Venus at their best would have dominated Martina, Steffi, & Chrissy. They are the best & most talented female tennis players ever!!!
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10-20-2009 @ 5:35PM
imustbegoingnow said...
I disagree. Maybe Chrissie, but I really think Martina and Steffi would have held their own against both of the sisters. We are talking of them at their peak, right? After all, the others only got to meet the williams on the downside of their careers. Martina was an awesome player, still holds several records that neither of the williams will ever be able to touch.
10-20-2009 @ 1:44PM
James The Truth said...
They would not do one thing against her! I never ever liked these Williams sisters; totally no class! Also, I wish the ATP would ban all that screaming, shrieking, grunting, etc. Another item-- have the guys put on shirts; I hate to look at a bush of black hair! Let's get the dignity back in tennis!
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10-21-2009 @ 4:22PM
emntc97 said...
James The Truth, you are a loser, it is written on the wall.
10-23-2009 @ 8:03PM
safee45 said...
They have more class in their toes than you have in your whole body!
10-20-2009 @ 1:50PM
mary collins finn said...
I agree with Katrina, I was at that game in 2004 and though I wasn't even close to the court I could see how wrong the calls were. I too believe she showed remarkable restraint on that occasion. But I also agree that she has emerged as a very poor sport since then. She belittles her opponents, assumes a nasty attitude on court and when critiqued in the media and seems to have an insatiable sense of entitlement. These traits set her apart from Venus. For several years they were the Williams sisters and one could speak praise or critique their behavior as a duo. But Venus has emerged as a dignified young woman who is a credit to the sport, whereas Serena has not matured with age.
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