US Open 2011: Serena Williams faces action for outburst

Monday, 12 September 2011 10:38

Written by ghanapolitics.net

Serena Williams will discover on Monday whether she faces further punishment for an angry tirade at umpire Eva Asderaki in the US Open final.

Sam Stosur won the match 6-2 6-3 after Williams was given a code violation for verbally abusing the Greek official.

Tournament referee Brian Earley must now decide whether to fine the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

Williams, 29, has been serving a two-year Grand Slam probation for an outburst at the US Open in 2009.

"Any impact this code violation might have on Serena Williams' Grand Slam probation would require the incident being ruled a major event," said a statement from the United States Tennis Association.

"That determination will be made by the Grand Slam Committee Director."

The incident occurred when Williams looked to have saved a break point at the start of the second set against Stosur, but her loud cry of "Come on!" was judged by umpire Asderaki to have come before the Australian had a chance to get the ball back.

The point - and the game - subsequently went to the Australian for "intentional hindrance", and after winning the next point a furious Williams aimed an angry tirade at Asderaki.

She was consequently given a code violation, and at the end of the game she continued to berate the umpire, saying "You're out of control. You're a hater, and you're just unattractive inside."

Asked about her reaction aterwards, Williams said: "I don't even remember what I said, it was just so intense out there.

"It's the final for me, and I was just - I have to go - I guess I'll see it on YouTube. I don't know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone, when they play, they kind of zone out kinda thing. I don't know, I'll see it later, I'm sure."

She added: "We live for these moments, you know. Everyone lives to be, you know, in the final of Wimbledon or the final at the US Open. Whatever happens in that moment, you live for them and we breathe for them, and hopefully I'll be back for them."

Stosur admitted that she had been surprised by the incident, saying: "I didn't really know what was going on. I was just there. I know about the rule but I have never had to deal with it before."

Williams was fined £53,000 and put on a probationary period at the four major championships in 2010 and 2011 after verbally abusing an official over a foot-fault call in her semi-final defeat by Kim Clijsters at the 2009 US Open.