Serena Williams Receives Fine for U.S. Open Outburst
Serena Williams upset tennis fans at the weekend after going on a wild rant at an umpire, before going on to lose the U.S. Open finals. She has now been fined $2,000 for verbal misconduct.
The 29-year-old tennis star served opponent, Australian born Samantha Stosur, a forehand before yelling "Come on!" Although Stosur failed to connect with the ball, the game's umpire Eva Asderaki gave the Aussie the point.
When Williams told Asderaki that she didn't understand why she lost the point and wanted to see a replay, the umpire refused.
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"This is not a replay," Asderaki told Williams. "This is hindrance and it is her point. Because when you shouted, she ran to the ball and she touched the ball."
Williams, upset at the call, insisted that the umpire had set her up in the past.
"Aren't you the one who screwed me over the last time I was here? You have it out for me?" Williams added, "I promise you that's not cool. That's totally not cool."
Williams, 13-time Grand Slam champion, continued her rant against the umpire, calling her a hater.
"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control," Williams write. "You're a hater and you're unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? Wow."
The United States Tennis Association released a statement about their decision to fine Williams instead of suspend her.
"After independently reviewing the incident which served as the basis for the code violation, and taking into account the level of fine imposed by the U.S. Open referee, the Grand Slam Committee Director has determined that Ms. Williams' conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offense under the Grand Slam Code of Conduct," the USTA said, according to ESPN reports.
Although Williams was not suspended, some tennis fans found her actions appalling.
"Serena Williams is my least favorite athlete, she's a bully," one tennis fan tweeted. "(She) often abuses match umpires and gets away with it."
Another agreed, saying the tennis star did not deserve to win the tournament.
"Serena Williams is so not a class act. Unsportsmanlike conduct irks me," another fan tweeted. "I'm glad she didn't win the Open."
In a press conference after the match, Williams claimed not to remember exactly what she said to get so bent out of shape.
"I don't even remember what I said." Williams said."It was just so intense out there. It's the final for me, and I was just ... I guess I'll see it on YouTube."
