
Do you remember Serena Williams outburst back in September? During the U.S. Open, Williams was called for a foot fault and then cursed out the line judge, which ultimately caused Williams to lose the semi-final match to Kim Clijsters. Well, Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock won't forget and gave his judgment on Serena's punishment on Monday.
Babcock announced that Williams will be fined $82,000 for her tirade and put on a two-year probationary period. If Serena has another outburst or major offense at any Grand Slam Tournament, she will be barred from the next U.S. Open and fined $175,000.
Babcock told the Associated Press in a telephone interview from London, "...if she does not have another offense in the next two years, the suspension [will be] lifted."
The fine is the highest any professional tennis player has ever received. The previous highest fine was $48,000 against Jeff Tarango in the 1990s. Williams was already fined $10,000 from the U.S. Tennis Association shortly after the incident, which is the highest the organization could fine a player on site.
There are a total of four Grand Slam tournaments that Williams must be on her best behavior for over the next two years: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. The Australian Open is the next tournament on the schedule and occurs January 18–31, 2010. Williams has yet to respond to the judgment.
Even though the fines may seem steep, it's not like Serena can't afford the fine. For making the U.S. Open semi-finals, she earned a nice $350,000. Still, is the punishment too harsh? Serena has thrown tantrums before: screaming, yelling, throwing and breaking rackets and she's lost points and has been fined for those. She has never threatened an official, though.
If an athlete in the NBA or NFL were to threaten an official, they could be suspended for an entire season and lose out on millions in salary. So in comparison, the punishment is light, especially since she isn't suspended from any upcoming tournaments. We think Serena will be on her best behavior from here on out.
Comments: (149)
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By: rasfanta on 12/04/2009 8:31PM
Can't stand that uppity negro, right?
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By: rasfanta on 12/04/2009 8:46PM
We should all be outraged at the way Serena is treated. Why are they being more harsh on her than on any other tennis player I have ever known? Yes, it is because she is black and it is whitey's way of letting her understand that she is black and held to a higher standard than her white counterparts. F--K amerikka.
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By: REDSNAPPER45 on 12/07/2009 10:20AM
IT'S A SHAME WE AS AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE TO ALWAYS BE ON PIN NEEDLES
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By: fathiyyah muhammad on 12/10/2009 1:01AM
Her out burst was inapproiate, yes. over $100,000 fine?? that could buy a lot of my caps the celebs wear. For the Rich and Famous only. Not for the poor and unknown. youtube - bilalscaps
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By: Eva on 12/11/2009 4:12PM
There are rules....when u break the rules you deserve the punishment....Rules are colorblind...thankfully.
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By: jorgebrito2 on 2/16/2010 12:33AM
If she behaves threatens someone like that out in the street, she will sure be arrested and charged with violence. Even though she'll be out of jail because she has money.
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By: D on 5/09/2010 8:20PM
Tasha, I'm soooooooo happy you don't teach my "pasty face" kids. Who could your ghetto ass even teach you dumbass? lol You can call white people Cracker and everything else but if I attack you racially, That would be a big no no. I cant say that She's nothing but a manly looking She-Boon who suffers from Groid rage. I can't say that she was just exhibiting TNB. I can't Say that she's Just another nog doing what Nogs do best. that would be crying rascist and having a massive Chimp-out. I'm not black, Thats why. Tasha, You make me sick and I hope your student's parents find out what a rascist piece of trash you really are. I would be completely astonished if this even gets posted.
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By: D on 5/09/2010 8:18PM
Tasha must not be a very good teacher. It's Mcenroe you stupid rascit twat.
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By: fishingking on 9/06/2010 12:34AM
F America. Go back to Africa and die of AIDS like the rest of your simian people
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