Watch your step
Kistal Gordon
Tennis heroine Serena Williams erupted in a fit of rage Saturday, September 12th 2009 over a foot violation, which cost her the U.S Open semi-final match. Williams was about to have her 12th grand slam, but was handed an automatic point penalty for the second violation, which gave Kim Clijsters the championship. The final scores were 6-4, 7-5. “I swear to God I’m…going to take this... ball and shove it down your... throat, you hear that? I swear to God,” Williams told the line-judge after the foot violation was called upon her.
Outraged by Williams’s outburst, the lineswoman immediately approached umpire Louise Engzell and informed her of William’s verbal assault towards her. The shock was written on the audience members faces as Williams’s approached the line-judge, the referee Brian Earley and the umpire Louise Engzell.
“I didn’t say I would kill you. Are you serious? I didn’t say that,” said Williams. Judging by the facial expression of the line-judge, she disagreed with Williams protest.
Prior to Williams’s outrage, she already earned a first violation after slamming her racket to the floor. Her actions showed that she was frustrated and provoked. Continuing with an already bad start to the game, Williams’s later actions were “unsportsmanlike.” Because of Williams’s tantrum, Clijsters received the winning point. Clijster advanced to the finals. Neither woman appeared to be smiling when this was announced. The Arthur Ash Stadium erupted with boos and shouts as Williams walked away. The audience members weren’t the only one’s displeased with the turn of events, Clijster was also uncomfortable with her handed victory. “The normal feeling of winning a match wasn’t there,” said Clijster.
The outbreak over Williams seemed to overshadow Clijster’s performance at the U.S. Open. There were earlier moments at the U.S. Open that took the focus from the actual game. One memory in particular, Federer was kissed on the lips by a male fan. Compared to William’s disqualification, Federer’s kiss will certainly be one to remember.
In addition to the early warning, point penalties and eventually losing the semi-finals, Williams was fined $10,500 for her behavior.
According to the International Tennis Federation, more charges will probably follow.
What do fans think after all this? Of course there will be some devoted fans that will always stick by the Williams sisters’ no matter what. However, if the sound in the auditorium gives an inclination of the majority viewpoint, then there’s cause to worry.
When comparing Williams’s temper-tantrum to other violent behaviors that are common in sports – players needing emergency care – one would say this incident went considerably well. "As a competitor and as someone who's really passionate about their work, I got a little overexcited,” Williams said on Good Morning America. |
