Serena Williams

[TexasTerror]

I was surprised when I searched and did not find a single reference to Serena's outburst at the US Open.

I'm sorry, Serena - but that was uncalled for. We all get upset when officials do not go our way with calls, but until the match was over, you were in it. You lost the match on your own accords with going ballistic.

Sure, you did not threaten the line judge's life, but saying what you said was completely uncalled for.

Thoughts?

[appmaj]

Agreed...
Bad Call...yes
Say something to the judge about it...yes
Curse at her and threaten her with physical violence...no

[JMU Newbill]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.

I think something like that, you apologize after the match, and you get over it. It's not that big of a deal... it's only a big deal because it was during a tennis match and not during any other sport.

[TexasTerror]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.

What do you recommend for behavior penalties?

She lost the point, not the match. In a sport like tennis, there needs to be rules in place regarding on the court behavior.

[mcveyrl]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.

I think something like that, you apologize after the match, and you get over it. It's not that big of a deal... it's only a big deal because it was during a tennis match and not during any other sport.


What do you recommend for behavior penalties?

She lost the point, not the match. In a sport like tennis, there needs to be rules in place regarding on the court behavior.

I'm pretty sure any player in other sports that threatens physical violence against a ref/umpire (i.e., threatening to shove the tennis ball down their throat) would get significant penalties.

It was a mistake on Williams' part, but a lot had to do with the frustrating match she was playing. I guarantee you if she's up by a set and serving for the win, she may have glared, but that's it. No excuse, but I can understand where she's coming from.

[Dane96]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.

I think something like that, you apologize after the match, and you get over it. It's not that big of a deal... it's only a big deal because it was during a tennis match and not during any other sport.

Let's look at it this way:

1) She is a professional...and you would never say something like that to a superior...which a judge is here.

2) If someone ever told me, in a close threatening manner, that they would shove a ball down my throat...they wouldnt get to finish the statement as they would either be out cold or we would be grappling before that point.

[nmatsen]

If she was a large, black, male athlete she would be called a Thug over and over for this incident.

Is she?

[TexasTerror]

One thing of note - Serena should be thankful that Kanye West did what he did last night, because I am just hearing a brief mention of Serena, without playing the video or post-match press conference.

Kanye may have bailed her out, as far as getting more negative publicity for this one.

[Big Al]

Why would something a male hip-hop artist has to say at a fake award ceremony have any bearing over what a female athleted does or says at a sporting event?

I can't see the connection.

[93henfan]

Serena is just taking a page from the John McEnroe book.

Granted, his typical retort was "Are you blind or just incredibly stupid you fat, pasty imbecilic moron?" and not "I should shove this MF'ing ball down your throat", but I'd say each is equally as bad. Serena never once looked like an actual physical threat to the judge. McEnroe used to verbally annihilate the judge from a foot or two away. I don't think Serena got much closer than ten feet during her outburst.

I'm old enough to remember McEnroe's outbursts but don't recall any fines or penalties. What did they do with McEnroe back in the day? Is it on par with the fine Serena is getting?

[89Hen]

What other sport do the refs NOT hear it from players/coaches? The call was horrible at the worst time possible. She could have reacted better, but I don't fault her as much as you guys. xpeacex

[tribe_pride]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.
I think something like that, you apologize after the match, and you get over it. It's not that big of a deal... it's only a big deal because it was during a tennis match and not during any other sport.

She had already gotten a warning earlier in the match for racket abuse (may be done but everyone knows if you slam your racket and break it, you get the warning). The second warning you get is an automatic point loss. It just happened to be on match point.

If you are not going to get a warning for threatening someone, I don't know when you would. She knows better.

[South Carolina Duke]

Serenas's actions were terrible. Clearly she was upset with her play and the fact that she was about to lose to the same competitor that her sister did.

Rules and etiquette of the game should be followed. She brought it upon herself and I hope further punishment is to follow.

The fact that she did not accept responsibility for her actions is the most telling part about the entire thing. Her post match interview was a true look-glass into who she is.

[ISUMatt]

Serena got the penalty called for by the book...just happened to be on match point...she was going to lose the match anyway, its not like that point cost her everything...she had 2 sets of sub par tennis to get into that situation

[Bill Hanson]

That was the funniest thing I ever saw. HAHAHAHA... Too bad her temper-tantrum didn't cause her to fly completely off the handle and start throwing stuff all over the court.

[appmaj]

Serena never once looked like an actual physical threat to the judge. I don't think Serena got much closer than ten feet during her outburst.

I dont know 93; She has about 6" and 50+ lbs on that judge and she was coming at her pretty hard with the raquet

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/14/alg_serena_argument.jpg

[tribe_pride]

By the way, the lineswomen did not voluntarily tell the judge what happened, she was called over by the judge or the tournament official.

Was she wrong for calling a foot fault at that point, yes. but she definitely did not deserve what Serena did. Serena was looking for another excuse for a loss. I have never (at least not in a while) seen her be gracious in defeat.

[JayJ79]

Eh... tennis is such a fru fru sport these days. Everyone so worried about being prim and proper. Do I think she was out of line? Yes. Do I think you should lose a point, or an entire match, because of it.... no.

I think something like that, you apologize after the match, and you get over it. It's not that big of a deal... it's only a big deal because it was during a tennis match and not during any other sport.

if someone went off on an official like that in baseball, they'd be ejected.
and if a player did it in football, they'd get flagged for unsportsmanlike, if not thrown out altogether.

[GannonFan]

Agreed - in any other sport, you get tossed the instant you say anything like that. Strangely, in tennis, it was just a point penalty. Serena got off lucky.

[JayJ79]

Roid rage!

[furpal87]

Question about McEnroe there was one tournament (Maybe it was in Australia or the Aussie Open) that he got defaulted for his behavior. I remember another player going off and leaving a match because of the judges.

As for Serena, I think she should have been prevented from playing the doubles final today and /or suspended for the next Grand Slam tournament. She has become the idol of so many like Tiger and both of them say a lot of things under the heat of competition that are regrettable, the difference is Serena crossed a line with what she said to a judge as opposed to what Tiger does all the time complaining about how he screwed a shot up. Did you see him nearly hit him self in the head with the glof club yesterday when he threw it up? The only complaint I had about that was he was so far ahead one shot didn't matter, but I understand the perfectionist nature he has.

[Bronco]

The video on dead spin has her saying a lot worse than reported above.
Can it be true or does dead spin...make things up fpr shock value
Look for the quote added in the upper box of the video

http://deadspin.com/5358201/serena-williams-goes-all-crazy+lady-on-terrified-line-judge

[OSBF]

I dont know 93; She has about 6" and 50+ lbs on that judge and she was coming at her pretty hard with the raquet

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/14/alg_serena_argument.jpg

Look at the expressions on the faces in the background. Wonder where the picture taken by the guy in the upper right showed up? Wonder how much he was able to sell it for?

[89Hen]

if a player did it in football, they'd get flagged for unsportsmanlike, if not thrown out altogether.
xwhistlex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-E2T1hayU

[mrklean]

Some..oh my bother................................lol
its only a game. let her get mad.

[89Hen]

Wonder where the picture taken by the guy in the upper right showed up? Wonder how much he was able to sell it for?
Hopefully it was video, except he does have the camera sideways (my wife does that xnutsx).

[DG Cowboy]

If you hold, it should be called. If you are offside, it should be called. If you foot fault in tennis, why should you not call it? I want to see if her foot was on the line. If so, the official was correct. You don't tell an official to call something all match unless it is a game point or match point. What do you think the players would do with that in football if they knew it was possibly the last play of the game and they could hold? There was no choice of penalties. It is spelled out in sequence in tennis. If a football player told the ref he was going to stuff the -------ball down his ------- throat, you don't think he would be ejected? If so, you never saw SLC officials at work. If you smile after a TD, they will stick you with taunting.

[appmaj]

If you hold, it should be called. If you are offside, it should be called. If you foot fault in tennis, why should you not call it? I want to see if her foot was on the line. If so, the official was correct. You don't tell an official to call something all match unless it is a game point or match point. What do you think the players would do with that in football if they knew it was possibly the last play of the game and they could hold? There was no choice of penalties. It is spelled out in sequence in tennis. If a football player told the ref he was going to stuff the -------ball down his ------- throat, you don't think he would be ejected? If so, you never saw SLC officials at work. If you smile after a TD, they will stick you with taunting.


It was not. The call was wrong. But a wrong call doesnt justify her behavior

[biggie]

Has anyone give her the same DNA test as that runner had? xeekx

[McNeese75]

I dont know 93; She has about 6" and 50+ lbs on that judge and she was coming at her pretty hard with the raquet

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/14/alg_serena_argument.jpg

Another step and that judge was about to open a can of kung fu whipass xnodx

[Seven Would Be Nice]

Hopefully it was video, except he does have the camera sideways (my wife does that xnutsx).

My wife changes the direction of the camera during a video. xbangxxbangxxbangx

[OSBF]

My secretary found the image the guy took, it's up on the front page of the drudge report.

[89Hen]

Another step and that judge was about to open a can of kung fu whipass xnodx
Definitely going crouching dragon on her.

[89Hen]

My secretary found the image the guy took, it's up on the front page of the drudge report.
Yeah, like you don't read Drudge every day. xrolleyesx xsmiley_wix :p

[OSBF]

Think of the fun to be had drawing balloon captions for the people in the picture:

guy with camera, (singing) I'm in the money, I'm in the money

large man in gray shirt under raquet: That b***h gonna get her arse whooped

young man in black shirt (smilling) top center: ooooooh gonna see a cat fight

man in white jogging suit with black/red stripped sleaves: Oh my word I've never hear such language

judge: Backoff b***h or I'll go kung fu panda on you.

[OSBF]

Yeah, like you don't read Drudge every day. xrolleyesx xsmiley_wix :p

I at least check out the headlines, then decide if I want to click a link to read anything.

[DG Cowboy]

It was not. The call was wrong. But a wrong call doesnt justify her behavior

Agreed. Thanks. I cannot find a clip to look at to see where her foot was. I'm glad you could find one.

[DSUrocks07]

She had already gotten a warning earlier in the match for racket abuse (may be done but everyone knows if you slam your racket and break it, you get the warning). The second warning you get is an automatic point loss. It just happened to be on match point.

If you are not going to get a warning for threatening someone, I don't know when you would. She knows better.

She also got a $500 fine as well.

RACKET ABUSE?
Somebody call Social Services xnonox

[Hoyadestroya85]

What's unfortunate about Serena's charade is that it took even more focus off one of the feel good sports stories of the year.

[TexasTerror]

Mary Carrillo gives her two cents...

"I think she should be suspended," Carillo said. "I can't believe they are letting her play the doubles after that. What does it say about our sport if all you do is hand out a fine? With that kind of behavior, that is as bad as I've ever seen a woman."

John McEnroe replied, "Don't look at me."

Carillo continued, "I just don't understand it. If you care about the integrity of your sport, you throw somebody out of the game for a while."

http://blogs.chron.com/sportsmedia/2009/09/post_43.html

[Sonic98]

I just don't get why the William sisters quite often seem to not come to play. It kinda pisses me off sometime

[tribe_pride]

I just don't get why the William sisters quite often seem to not come to play. It kinda pisses me off sometime

They don't play much out of the grand slams but they have dominated.

Championships this decade
2009 - Serena wins Aussie and Wimbledon
2008 - Venus - Wimbledon, Serena US Open
2007 - Serena Aussie, Venus Wimbledon
2006 -
2005 - Serena Aussie, Venus Wimbledon
2004 -
2003 - Serena Aussie and Wimbledon
2002 - Serena - French, Wimbledon, and US
2001 - Venus - Wimbledon, US Open
2000 - Venus - Wimbledon, US Open

That is 17 of the last 40 grand slams between the 2 women. They have also had injuries a bunch. They come to play more than they don't. Remember that the Belgian and Russian women have been doing well over the past 10 years too so the Williams are not automatic winners.

[Grizzaholic]

Mary Carrillo gives her two cents...

"I think she should be suspended," Carillo said. "I can't believe they are letting her play the doubles after that. What does it say about our sport if all you do is hand out a fine? With that kind of behavior, that is as bad as I've ever seen a woman."

John McEnroe replied, "Don't look at me."

Carillo continued, "I just don't understand it. If you care about the integrity of your sport, you throw somebody out of the game for a while."

http://blogs.chron.com/sportsmedia/2009/09/post_43.html


Good point!

[JayJ79]

xwhistlex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-E2T1hayU

that was a coach in that commercial, not a player.

[WWII]

It was not. The call was wrong. But a wrong call doesnt justify her behavior

Are you sure it was wrong? I don't think there was any conclusive proof of that.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125288970980407601.html

[Panther88]

Serena is more athletic than 99% of the ppl who post here xlolx and richer than 100% of the ppl who post here xlolx. I think that qualifies her as not giving a rat's arse about what naysayers have to say. ;) Good job AGS. xthumbsupx

[appmaj]

Are you sure it was wrong? I don't think there was any conclusive proof of that.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125288970980407601.html

There is proof of that her body was in the air when she made contact with the ball. Not a foot fault

[tribe_pride]

Serena is more athletic than 99% of the ppl who post here xlolx and richer than 100% of the ppl who post here xlolx. I think that qualifies her as not giving a rat's arse about what naysayers have to say. ;) Good job AGS. xthumbsupx

Being more athletic and richer are not what is necessary. I don't know anyone who needs to give a "rat's arse" about what anyone on here says.


There is proof of that her body was in the aire when she made contact with the ball. Not a foot fault

If you touch the base line before you jump, it's still a foot fault. That said, I still think the call was wrong. But she was more wrong.

[McNeese75]

Serena is more athletic than 99% of the ppl who post here xlolx and richer than 100% of the ppl who post here xlolx. I think that qualifies her as not giving a rat's arse about what naysayers have to say. ;) Good job AGS. xthumbsupx

xrolleyesx Therein lies the problem xlolxxpeacex

[appmaj]

Serena is more athletic than 99% of the ppl who post here xlolx and richer than 100% of the ppl who post here xlolx. I think that qualifies her as not giving a rat's arse about what naysayers have to say. ;) Good job AGS. xthumbsupx

She will care when she loses those whole some commercial deals shes been doing

[Panther88]

Being more athletic and richer are not what is necessary. I don't know anyone who needs to give a "rat's arse" about what anyone on here says.



Sure you do. McNeese75 posted right behind you. xlolx

The same folx griping and such will be the same ones breaking the door off the hinges for whatever nat'l commercially advertised product she's associated w/.

C'mon now, tell the truth. We're family in here. :D ;)

[McNeese75]

Sure you do. McNeese75 posted right behind you. xlolx

The same folx griping and such will be the same ones breaking the door off the hinges for whatever nat'l commercially advertised product she's associated w/.

C'mon now, tell the truth. We're family in here. :D ;)

xlolx nawwww 88. I have been playing and watching tennis for over 30 years but I doubt I will be getting in line to buy any of her products. But the again, I probably won't be lining up for any other woman or man's tennis product either so..............

Over all I think both Serena and Venus have handled themselves very well over their careers both socially and professionaly. The only problem I really ever had with the Williams family is with their father. He handled those girls careers in the early going and I am sure they are for the most part where they are now because of that. But, he really has acted like and idiot and has thrown out some stupid quotes to the media, etc over the years. IMO

[Panther88]

xlolx nawwww 88. I have been playing and watching tennis for over 30 years but I doubt I will be getting in line to buy any of her products. But the again, I probably won't be lining up for any other woman or man's tennis product either so..............

Over all I think both Serena and Venus have handled themselves very well over their careers both socially and professionaly. The only problem I really ever had with the Williams family is with their father. He handled those girls careers in the early going and I am sure they are for the most part where they are now because of that. But, he really has acted like and idiot and has thrown out some stupid quotes to the media, etc over the years. IMO

Fair. :)