Most of us would love for the Serena Williams US Open controversy to go away. As Venus Williams said during the doubles trophy ceremony: “Let’s move on.” And with Serena just one match away from taking the No. 1 ranking from Dinara Safina at the China Open, it appears Serena is moving in the right direction.
But the ITF is winding up its official investigation into the incident, and the story is heating up rather than going cold. Neil Harman of the London Times explained the investigation process in this piece, saying that the lineswoman, the umpire, the tournament referee and the WTA Tour supervisor have all given their versions of the event and now it’s Serena’s turn to talk. Depending on how things turn out, Serena could be off the hook, or she could be facing harsh fines and a ban from one or more Major tournaments.
Here’s Serena’s take from Sunday’s press conference in Beijing:
Q: Are you concerned about potential further punishment from the WTA or ITF?
A: I know there’s talk of investigation, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment while the case is still going on, it is what it is, I am really excited to be a tennis player. I obviously have such an amazing passion- it’s enabled me to have 20-something grand slam titles. I love fighting for every point, for everything.
But Matt Cronin of TennisReporters.net, says that there’s a wrinkle in the case:
Two additional things though: one, there are more “official” folks who aren’t listed in the (Harman) piece who were close enough to catch what Serena said AND apparently, there’s a rumor floating around that Serena said something far worse to the lineswoman that hasn’t been reported yet. She appears to be in deep trouble. Stay tuned.
There are rumors and there are rumors. Matt Cronin tends to get his rumors from the source and not from the internet. So this is troubling news, no matter what the truth is – we’re either looking at a witch hunt or some very disappointing behavior from the top player in the world.
Tags: China Open, Serena Williams, tennis, US Open, WTA
RELATED ARTICLES ON GOTOTENNIS |
Loading ...
In a perfect world, Serena gets what she deserves: the #1 ranking and then a ban from the ITF from the next couple of slams.
i agree. also, if they ban her from a couple of slams maybe she'll play more of the other wta events.
Doubt it. She's perfectly capable of carrying out a boycott of her own. Indian Wells. Need I say more?
We had the opportunity to see the real Serena at the US open. For her insulting vulgar remarks
she should be suspended for the next two slams and find $100,000.
Yes; it was very not cool.
“In a perfect world” That foot fault would’ve never been called.
Unfortunately we are not living in a perfect world and the issue here isn't the right or wrong call.
We are judging a tennis player's behaviour.
I'll be very disappointed if she gets away with it. You'll get punishment, fine, sued (or punched in the face) for such behavior on the street.
I just can't believe that the No. 1 tennis player in the world may be banned from playing in the major events! I don't think it will happen. . .
She may be the best player in the world now, but she certainly is NOT the most professional. I think she deserves to learn her lesson. Not because she's on the top does that mean she shouldnt be banned. This way, everyone will be reminded of their proper behavior on the court regardless of how passionate they are about their sport, right Serena?
if this were coming from most journalists I would take the info with a grain of salt, but Cronin is one of the more respected journalists and his info is usually right on the money.
Right now I think Serena's USO prize money should be stripped from her, but if there is more to this story that we haven't heard (and Cronin is implying), I'm in for at LEAST a 2010 Aussie Open ban. I can't believe Serena said more to the woman then what we heard but if Cronin's source(s) are correct, she deserves harsh punishment for it.
10 years on tour and all of a sudden Serena is the most unprofessional woman in sport. Whatever peeps. Hey maybe if they suspend or ban her or whatever, some of the other weaklings will finally get a chance to grab an elusive slam and the media will have the darling that they all require. Serena was wrong. She was fined. End of story. How many times has this girl kept her calm when calls went against her, when players cheated her outright out of points, when officials with their own hidden agendas gave points to her oppoents. During all this, this young woman kept her cool and never once did she let loose with anything resembling what happened at the USO. She snapped. Plain and simple. Would you not snap if every single time you have to be fighting the same battle. Enough.