Serena Williams was just two points away from a semifinals exit from the U.S. Open back in September when she began her now infamous tirade at the lineswoman who helped make her departure a reality by calling a foot fault that sparked the meltdown. Now, nearly two months later, the ITF has announced they will make a ruling on her further punishment within two weeks. She was originally fined $10,500 -- $10,000 maximum on-court fine allowed plus $500 for racquet abuse -- but potentially faces more fines and a possible suspension from the WTA.
"It's in the hands of the Grand Slam administrator, who I believe has now completed his investigation and will be making a ruling within the next two weeks," United States Tennis Association President Lucy Garvin told The Associated Press on Friday. "That's what we have been told -- that Serena would hear, we would hear."
Greg Couch: ITF Let Serena Off the Hook
After the incident, Serena issued her version of an apology. "You guys heard that?" Williams said in the post match press conference. "Well, you know I am from Compton. So you know..." She did later issue a carefully crafted apology from a PR expert, apologizing to the lineswoman, her fans and the WTA: "I want to amend my press statement of yesterday, and want to make it clear as possible -- I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lines woman, Kim Clijsters, the USTA, and tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst. I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm wrong."
All apologies aside, the ITF needs to take a harsher stand on this incident. $10,500 is pocket change for someone who broke the WTA season prize money mark by earning $6.5 million in 2009. Whether or not the ITF will suspend Serena for the Australian Open is yet to be seen -- although as the most prominent figure in women's tennis, I imagine they will consider the financial ramifications for the sport as much as they will take into account the appropriate ethical punishment for Serena's outburst.
Serena, who will end the year at No. 1, recently pulled out of the Fed Cup along with sister Venus to rest after the two faced off in the season-ending WTA Tour championship finals last weekend.
Next up on her agenda? We'll have to wait for the USTA ruling to find out.
Follow Chris Sesno on twitter: @csesno
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-06-2009 @ 8:43PM
Bob said...
Someone should fine her for saying on record that she has integrity and that she admits when she is wrong, both clearly outrageous fabrications. Oh, that's right, she's from Compton...silly me. You don't have to be accountable for your actions if you had a tough childhood. My bad.
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11-06-2009 @ 10:18PM
uknow said...
first of all nobody should touch her money just cause she makes a lot does not make it ok to loose money if one of you guys messed up on you job is it ok for your boss to take money from your pay no because you worked hard for it as serena reguardless of how much money she makes its hers and she worked for that paycheck just like each and every one of us so nobody should be hoping they take her money at the end of the day its a job you mess up at work you get suspended not docked from your pay check, and who are you to say 10,500 is pocket change you dont know what she needs that money for who do you know rich or not that wants to pay out that much bottom line she ha a bad day at work and shes not the first
11-07-2009 @ 7:26PM
mazd273 said...
The max penalty at the time of Serena's outburst was a $ 10k fine plus the $ 500 for racquet abuse. Those were the rules. Change the rules after the incident if they want but it's wrong to make it retroactive to punish Serena. After the Women's Doubles at the Open, Patrick McEnroe tried to bring up the incident and the fans booed him. Venus Williams said the fans want to move on and she was cheered and applauded. Chris Sesno, Greg Couch and all the Williams sisters haters should take a que from the fans at the U.S. Open and move on.
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11-07-2009 @ 8:30PM
Sieben said...
as you can see HATE over runs common sense for Many."Oh, that's right, she's from Compton...silly me. You don't have to be accountable for your actions if you had a tough childhood. My bad." Its Pathetic stuff like this, The only gratifying thing is that these Women , Serena & Venus won't let things like this bother them , They will continue to do their best
11-08-2009 @ 12:50PM
krumpgirl said...
Bob.....what is your problem dude?.......It seems like you're on some kind of "Hate Serena" crusade. You continually malign, slander and hate everything about her. She's the No. 1 tennis player in the world and will go down as one of the best in history. She is not perfect and neither are you...give her a break. Your hatefulness seems so personal.
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11-08-2009 @ 6:05PM
imustbegoingnow said...
Well, the news from the ITF has been leaked, all they are supposed to do is fine serena some more money she can easily afford. What a joke, a male tennis players uses an ethnic slur against another player and gets banned from the sport for 6 months. serena threatens to kill a line judge and al the ITF does is fine her. One word is worth 6 months and the threat of shoving a ball down a judge's throat and all it gets a woman is a fine she can easily afford. What is wrong with this picture?
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