Serena Williams Outburst

One of the most controversial issues last week has been Serena William's angry outburst at the US Open semi-finals. Serena Williams was down to Kim Klijsters and struggling to stay alive in the game, when the lines person foot faulted her. This led to a very shocking and angry outburst from Serena.

Here are some videos of the outburst
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO_jlXjgxN8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3Z6CXmc8M

Here is Serena William's take on the situation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LeHWpoKKsQ

An article on the incident-
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/09/14/2009-09-14_serena_williamss_outburst.html

I personally was shell shocked at Serena's reaction. The line judge was incorrect in calling the foot fault, it was not really a fault. But I feel Serena's reaction was way over the top. I can understand the frustration of playing your heart out and having a wrong decision against you. But such a reaction was totally uncalled for. It was very unclassy for such a high ranking player and quite frankly something that will disrepute tennis. A lot of people are defending Serena because it was an incorrect call or that other players like McEnroe have thrown tantrums, but Serene actually threatened an official. If you watch the press conference she does not really regret her actions or feel the need to apologize.

She has been fined $10,500 and speculation grows on if she should receive suspension and how long.

Is the fine enough or does she deserve stricter punishment?
Player tantrums and arrogance are becoming a hindrance to tennis? Does anything need to be done?
On the other hand the line person called a wrong decision - other games like cricket also have raised controversies due to poor decisions - what should tennis do to protect players from bad decisions?
Should Serena be expected to apologize to the line person or is that unnecessary since the linesperson was wrong?

Finally the article that I posted hints that no matter what the outcome there is no such thing as bad publicity. Serena Williams outburst will actually benefit tennis instead of being detrimental. Is it true that such diva like behavior makes sports popular.

On one hand I do see that people are attracted to drama and controversies, but it bothers me that any sport should find popularity this way. It seems that sports should be more for the love of the sport rather than the drama, the arrogance, the fights and diva like tantrums.

What do you mean the line judge was incorrect?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kCftMd-J0Q

When she serves, her foot touches the baseline(at 0.17-0.19 secs) that is clearly a foot fault. The rules are the same whenever you play tennis, whether it is the first point or a championship point

The Williams sisters are pampered babies, I am sick and tired of their antics when they dont get something they want. She did come back and apologize b'cos she was supposed to play the doubles finals. If she hadnt apologized she was supposed to get DQ'ed, plus lose and you can make out a Serena statement from a PR person making a statement for her.

But situation like this is what you get when you put a Johny Mac in a commentary booth and make him an ideal.

It was an unfair call by the lines umpire. Serena didnt footfault and the replay didnot show the correct angle also. Serena's behaviour definitely was not that of a true champion. she might have won slams.. but got no class..

The williams sisters need to be thrown into the mens circuit. it is unfair for the little ladies to be competing with these giant gorillas .. honestly ..😉

i think she is right. may be her way of showing it was wrong. but if she is not at fault y should she give in thats no sports man/woman ship.
ya she could have gone a calmer way about it. the lines person should also be punished for giving a wrong decision

Originally posted by: angelic_devil

i think she is right. may be her way of showing it was wrong. but if she is not at fault y should she give in thats no sports man/woman ship.
ya she could have gone a calmer way about it. the lines person should also be punished for giving a wrong decision

A foot fault is difficult to determine. While several fans say there was no foot fault, many people like CPM are pretty convinced there was a foot fault. Some others say evidence is inconclusive. It was a difficult call to make. We have the benefit of television replays. A lines person has to make that call in split seconds. They are human after all and are bound to make slight errors. When television replays leave people and experts split, I think the linesperson can be given the benefit of the doubt. Its only when there is a grossly incorrect call that we can question their judgment quality. Why should the linesperson be punished for an honest mistake? Won't it be better to introduce something like an appeals or third umpire system. However, it is very rare that tennis games have erupted in such controversies.

Moreover, its not a matter of whether the lines person was wrong. It is more about the character and demeanor of Serena Williams. It would have been Ok to cuss under her breath a little or maybe even a 'are you kidding me?' like John McEnroe. But when you are said to have the worst tennis tantrums since John McEnroe something is wrong. She waved her racket at the lines person and used the f word over and over. She even said 'I will f...... kill you'. Even if the linesperson made a gross mistake, such behavior is downright wrong and unacceptable.

Originally posted by: chal_phek_mat

The Williams sisters are pampered babies, I am sick and tired of their antics when they dont get something they want. She did come back and apologize b'cos she was supposed to play the doubles finals. If she hadnt apologized she was supposed to get DQ'ed, plus lose and you can make out a Serena statement from a PR person making a statement for her.

Personally, I think the Williams sisters are the worst thing that happened to women's tennis. They completely sucked the class right out of it. I remember the good old days of matches with Steffi Graf. The game was about class, the elegance of play, the placement of the lobbies and the games were thrilling and competitive. With the advent of the Williams sisters the game is nothing but a series of loud grunts and jack hammer serves. Absolutely no joy in watching a competitive game.

I think her outburst was a classic case of poor sporting spirit. She was losing to Kim Klijsters. She was losing to a retired, had baby, returned petite Belgian who had not even broken back into top ten yet. She big brawny powerful world no 2 was losing to a rebound girl and was about to exit in the semis. She was obviously bitterly frustrated. The lines person made a decision she did not like - she exploded and she exploded like a raging bull. Goes to show that the Williams are used to divas having their way and have not learned how to lose graciously.

Perhaps she mumbled a half hearted 'sorry' when asked to. However, in the PR statement she did not sound apologetic or regretful at all. Even if the line judge was wrong, most people feel apologetic for reacting this way - she did not. That bothers me a lot. I do appreciate the fact she does not apologize for the sake of it unless she means it, I do not belive in false apologies - but its bothersome that a high ranking athlete be so poor in sportsmanship.

Originally posted by: Believe

The williams sisters need to be thrown into the mens circuit. it is unfair for the little ladies to be competing with these giant gorillas .. honestly ..😉

Nah, not necessary. Navaratilova and Graf in their hey dey would have easily tamed these beasts. Lets not ruffle the civilized worlds of Federer, Roddick and Rafa.

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

Is the fine enough or does she deserve stricter punishment?
Always a point of debate ! Anyways, i don't think fine can anytime be a good enough punishment for such players. It can be for poor people like me 😆.
Maybe they shouldn't allow her to go to fashion weeks or try fancy outfits for some time. That might affect her more. 😆
Player tantrums and arrogance are becoming a hindrance to tennis? Does anything need to be done?
As long as one is shouting to himself, its fine. No one should be be at the receiving end but the player himself else it should be stopped.
A ban for a certain period and a fine (just for the sake of it) can be charged . Only a fine , as i said earlier, is too less !
If you had to take an ideal case, one would have to see what exactly affects the person the most, and then have a punishment. For eg- if some tennis player is addicted to ipod, ban it for a week from his house. Its enough ! If one is addicted to IF , ban it for 1 day, and he'll be fine. 😆
On the other hand the line person called a wrong decision - other games like cricket also have raised controversies due to poor decisions - what should tennis do to protect players from bad decisions?
That TV replay thingy had started- its quite good i guess. 1-2 errors should not be overrated- common man there are so so many line calls in a match !
Should Serena be expected to apologize to the line person or is that unnecessary since the linesperson was wrong?
She should apologize- there's no excuse for such behaviour.
Linesperson shouldn't apologize(for the reason given) else she would be apologizing all the time. 😆

On a side not- for me - such things from serena won't ever be as shocking -while even a slight tantrum by mr r-fed is. He wasn't such a gentleman in the final i hear. We just have too high expectations from roger !

Originally posted by: clodpolish

On a side not- for me - such things from serena won't ever be as shocking -while even a slight tantrum by mr r-fed is. He wasn't such a gentleman in the final i hear. We just have too high expectations from roger !