Serena Williams defaulted the semi at match point

[DeepBlueC]

She cursed out the linesman after being called for a foot fault. No foot fault seen on replay but Serena just lost it. I think there were two code violations, one for smashing a racquet at the end of the first set and the other for saying some harsh things to the linesman. That was it, disqualified at match point.

[Parker CA]

1. Who ended up winning? Was she going to take the match if she had kept her cool?

Might want to change the title to spoiler alert for people who might have recorded it or not seen the results yet.

[WillowTree]

7. No. It was match point, so the code violation ended the match.

Hate to see that happen, but she did lose her cool in a big way.

[tularetom]

2. Wife had it on in the other room

She acted like a big baby. And she was rightly disqualified.

Outbursts at linesmen are fairly common anymore since McEnroe began intimidting them years ago, but if what I heard was true Serena went waaaay over the line so to speak by actually threatening the linesman.

But of course in a society where some asshole can jump up in a congressional address and call the President a liar, what hope is there for couresy in sports.

[harkadog]

121. At least people don't die at football games in this country

As they do at soccer games in Europe an most other countries.

[Critters2]

152. Yet. nt

[harkadog]

169. Football has been going on for nearly a 100 years

Still waiting to see riots outside of stadiums and people being crushed to death as occurs in soccer playing countries.

[Soylent Brice]

176. what's the matter? don't you like our socialist communist fascist soccer???

or shall i say...

FOOTBALL!!!


lol

[anigbrowl]

3. Tsk. Bad call = officials at fault

People will say it's unsporting but frankly I don't care for the manners in tennis, a bad call isn't fair to the players either.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Well you can't say certain things to the ump in baseball either

Specifically "I'll shove this ball down your fucking throat", which is clearly what she said from looking at the tape. It also looked like she used the word "motherfucker". Furthermore, the penalty was actually pretty minor. Losing one point in a match that has hundreds of points is not a big deal for something that serious. Of course, doing it on what was match point was really boneheaded.

[tularetom]

10. After seeing a replay I think she did it intentionally

She lost the first set. She was down at match point in the second and had already been warned for busting her racket. This way if she lost - well. at least it was a loss with an asterisk. Plus she's smarter than to go nuts like that.

[jasi2006]

125. People used to think it was cute when Macenroe and Connors acted this way.

And Martina...it was ok then...my how times have changed.

[onenote]

128. that's just utterly wrong == people did not think connors and mcenroe were "cute"

That's just a nonsensical statement. Connors and McEnroe were heavily criticized by the media and the tennis establishment. The New York Times wrote of McEnroe that he was "the worst advertisement for our system of values since Al Capone," While that obviously was over the top, so too is your revisionist history.

[BoneDaddy]

129. I don't ever remember anyone thinking it was cute

After the fact it became somewhat of a parody but I don't ever remember anyone thinking it was cute.

[Iggo]

133. No. People did not think it was cute.

Modern sportstalkers looking back on it think it was cute. And modern sportswatchers giggle right along.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

25. Good call. A long suspension is due.

[nini]

27. from what I've read the call was not so good

regardless - a LONG suspension for that?

:eyes:

She lost the match and I'm sure something else will be thrown at her but a long suspension is overkill.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

28. They won't suspend her but threatening an official is over the line.

She told the official, "I'm going to shove this ball down your fucking throat."

[anigbrowl]

65. Yeah, I'm sure everyone took that literally

I'm gonna shoot you if you keep being so disingenuous :sarcasm:

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

75. So you have no problem with people threatening other people. Got it.

I'll remember that the next time someone makes a veiled threat at the President.

[anigbrowl]

112. No, you haven't got it. the point is that not all hyperbole should be taken literally.

I realize this distinguishing between hyperbolic statements and actual threats requires more thought than you probably want to invest.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

115. Even if the threat wasn't real, the verbal abuse was. The Grand Slam Committee is considering a ban

Serena fined, more punishment possible

NEW YORK – Serena Williams faces an anxious wait to see if she is to be banned from future Grand Slam tournaments following her controversial outburst at the U.S. Open.

Williams was levied with a $10,000 fine by the U.S. Open for unsportsmanlike conduct on Sunday for her foul-mouthed tirade at a line judge the night before, as she slumped to a semifinals defeat to Kim Clijsters. The fine was the maximum possible at this stage.

An additional $500 fine for racket abuse was also imposed by tournament referee Brian Earley, but those on-site punishments could be just the tip of the iceberg for the world No. 2.

A further investigation by the Grand Slam Committee, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports on Saturday night, has already begun and will prompt serious concern from Williams and her supporters.

The committee has the authority to strip Williams of her entire $350,000 prize purse for this tournament, plus hand down a ban for future Slams starting with the 2010 Australian Open. However, she is expected to be allowed to compete in Monday’s women’s doubles final alongside sister Venus.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ro-serenafine0913...

[anigbrowl]

117. Yes...just as the botched call at a critical point was a failure on the organizers' part.

'Considering a ban' doesn't mean much. I imagine they'll balance her angry outburst with the poor quality of refereeing and come to a decision.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

118. That in no way excuses her behavior.

[anigbrowl]

123. For you, obviously not.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

124. Or for the Grand Slam Committee that fined her 10k.

[Name removed]

132. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

179. It looks like Skittles still has a crush on a fireman. I've told you before, I'm happily married.

[Drunken Irishman]

Except it's like this in nearly every sport.

You can't say that to an official.

If you do in the NBA, you're gone. Tossed from the game and most likely will face a fine.

If you do it in the NFL, you're gone. Tossed from the game and most likely will face a fine.

It's just how it is. You respect the official. Disagree with the call all you want, but comments like that won't fly at any level.

[nini]

72. what's the precedent for a LONG suspension

after years of McEnroe, Connors etc..

She definitely should and will get some kind of discipline - but anything LONG is not in line with the history of the game.

Now, if she went at the official swinning her racket hitting her - she should indeed be banned. A verbal outburst - not so much.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

76. When did Mac and Connors threaten officials?

[nini]

131. I'm not against her being punished

.. and I'm assuming you mean a year or forever with the 'long' comment which of course I have no way of knowing since this isn't a normal conversation on this board.

She should be punished more than those 2 - however I don't think it should be career ending or really severe like a year or 2. 3-6 months is fair.

I also think she didn't really intend to do physically harm and was just frustrated - however she knows better than that and will have to take her lumps.

[tishaLA]

127. McEnroe had a two month suspension. Conners for 10 weeks

Neither of them said they would 'shove this ball down your fucking throat'

[Aragorn]

168. You can NOT

be serious!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

175. About which part?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

180. Fault!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

181. That makes no sense.

[anigbrowl]

63. You misunderstand. The foot fault call was bad.

Getting a call wrong on match point is a gross failure of refereeing. I can easily understand an outburst of anger in response.

[joeybee12]

69. And if youre not a spoiled brat, you walk to the chair ump and challenge

it...you don't threaten and use foul language...some of us have a few standards.

[fishwax]

159. players can't challenge foot faults

challenges only cover the calls that involve the ball, if I'm not mistaken.

[cherokeeprogressive]

105. Does this look like a bad call to you? Or does it look like a foot fault?

It looks like a foot fault to me. Watch the YouTube video and pause it at 40 seconds then again at 41. Then tell me again that it was a bad call.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZcDn8JWCLo

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

126. Pretty clearly a foot fault to me. Serena almost admitted as much.

[cwydro]

150. It was not a foot fault.

The video makes that clear. Her feet were NOT over the line until AFTER the ball was hit.

Does not excuse her actions however.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

174. Her foot doesn't have to be over the line, it has to touch the line.

[bigwillq]

78. Why a long suspension?

And what do you mean by "long"?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

80. Threatening an official. Whatever the USTA or WTA decide.

[bigwillq]

81. How long is long?

So far, she was fined 10K.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

86. Considering the fine maybe a month.

[bigwillq]

88. Thank you for your response.

We will see what happens.

[WillieW]

141. and a $10,000 fine

[Sugarcoated]

54. She could have challenged the call.

Doesn't the new challenge rule extend to foot faults?

[bigwillq]

79. I don't think you can challenge

a foot fault. I am looking for the answer now.

[jakefrep]

82. Officials need to be held accountable when they fuck up

They shouldn;t be protected from criticism.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

119. What about verbal abuse or threats?

[jakefrep]

142. The official deserved it.

[jakefrep]

83. Officials need to be held accountable when they fuck up

They shouldn;t be protected from criticism.

[malaise]

4. Pity she lost it

She was still in the match. She has a great record of fighting back.
Guess the lengthy rain delays got to her but she really snapped over that 'suspect' foot fault.
She received a penalty and hence a point was the punishment. Hard way to lose when you're the defending champ but control helps - she's way more emotional than Venus.

[Kazak]

182. Venus is way more introverted...

almost subservient even.

[NWHarkness]

6. I thought the foot fault was apparent, actually

It was a good call, in my opinion. But in any case, her behavior was out of bounds. Apparently, she told the line judge she was going to ram her racket down her throat, in the course of which, she tossed at least 2 f-bombs.

[jasi2006]

8. Replay didn't show foot fault, did it? nt

[WillowTree]

9. I didn't think so, but it wasn't the best camera angle. In the end, too close for me to call.

[miyazaki]

21. hence, the line judge. n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

23. It was obvious to me. At least an inch or two over.

[Cetacea]

11. Yes! Way to go, Kimmie!

Serena is lucky no one pressed assault charges.
Kim was dismantling her and she didn't like it.

[spin]

12. A great tennis match ended by anger.

I was really enjoying the match when it abruptly ended. It was fairly obvious that Serena was angry. I noticed that when she smashed her racket.

I wish the match would have finished without a disqualification. I rarely watch tennis, but I was really enjoying this game, Two really great players that appear to be well matched playing at their peak.

[Dreamer Tatum]

13. Williams was far from her peak

She was getting her ass kicked, which might have been why she was so emotional. Sad way for a match of that magnitude to end.

[spin]

70. Yes, Serena Williams might have been able to win...

now we'll never know.

Hoverer, I was amazed at how well Kim Clijsters played. Simply amazing for a wildcard to be competing for a chance at competing in the US Open final.

We can look forward to some great matches in the future between these great tennis players.

[BlueIdaho]

14. Did she call him a liar?

Sorry, I had to...

[truebrit71]

15. ..and then denied that she had threatened the official in the post-meltdown presser...

...is she too stupid to know that the whole court is mic'ed?

She needs to have her 'roid enraged ass banned for a couple of months to cool her down...

Strange how she has the meltdown as she's about to get bounced out...same way she would get mysterious "injuries" when she was behind in matches, or when she had to play her sister...

[DeepBlueC]

16. but it all makes sense, dontcha know...

because, after all, John McEnroe is her hero, and Martina ...so who is really to blame, huh? :sarcasm:

[rockymountaindem]

20. Yeah, I know

But heaven forbid you should ever actually point these things out. I mean, she's such a fantastic player she shouldn't have to resort to gamesmanship the way she does, but I just can't get behind her and her antics sometimes. I'm happy for Clijsters. I've missed her presence on tour. She's a class act and a great player who is about having game and not image (Sharapova cough cough).

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

24. Sharapova doesn't have game. LOL

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

43. A 6 month suspension should do the trick.

[cwydro]

153. Ain't gonna happen.

The Williams mostly play the Slams anyway, so a month would not make a hill of beans to her. $10,000 is nothing to her either.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

178. I agree. We'll see what the Grand Slam Committee says though.

[geek tragedy]

17. She was getting spanked on the court. Should have taken her thumping

like a champ.

[DeepBlueC]

18. yep

:thumbsup:

[Junkdrawer]

19. Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF8ZoevMJQc

[DeepBlueC]

26. oooh... thanks for that

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

22. Her behavior was inexcusable. She deserves a long suspension.

[hfojvt]

29. "Should I even bother to play? You just want me to lose?"

Those words were said clearly by Ivan Lendl after a few calls had gone against him. Matches are decided by close calls, but for a match to be decided by a foot-fault call is just sad. It ruins it for Kim to have won that way after she had played so well. Why is there no way to challenge the call?

I have to side with Serena, although it would be nice to know what exactly she said. But you cannot expect somebody who is putting their heart into the match to just laugh it off when a match is basically handed to an opponent by a bogus call. And a penalty point should not be awarded like that at match point. That is far too harsh of a penalty.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

30. "I'm going to shove this ball down your fucking throat." She deserves worse.

[Raineyb]

31. Funny, people never said stuff like that when McEnroe used to throw

fits on the court.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

32. When did he tell a linesman he was going to shove a ball down their fucking throat?

[Raineyb]

33. Right because flinging rackets is less dangerous than words. n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

34. Of course I never said it was. Nice try though.

Nice to know you think it's okay to assault officials though.

[Raineyb]

35. My point's been made. That it went over your head is unsurprising. n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

36. I got it. Assaulting officials is fine by you. Sorry I rarely understand idiocy.

[GOPNotForMe]

42. Or when Jimmy Connors did it either.

Let's see, today CBS played a classic match with Connors during which he went right up to the line judge, called him a "son of a bitch", told him that he was goddamn wrong, that he couldn't see, and then kept yelling that he needs to get out of the chair because he can't do his job. He got to keep playing and no one made a big deal out of it. AND he was right because back then it was a bullshit call by the line judge then too. Outbursts happen, I'm sick of the pearl-clutching.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

44. Calling someone a son of a bitch and threatening them are 2 entirely different things.

Besides play wasn't stopped because of the outburst, it was stopped because the match ended.

[GOPNotForMe]

45. OK that was OBVIOUSLY not a serious threat but an outburst.

Give me a break. I've heard worse and such a big deal was not made. I do find it funny that everyone is pouncing on Serena because this isn't something new.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

46. She broke the rules twice resulting in a point. She was losing anyway.

She's just a petulant little rich girl.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

49. Are you saying that a penalty wouldn't have been called on any player that said that to an official?

[hfojvt]

52. I have watched a fair amount of tennis

including some McEnroe matches when I wanted to see him disqualified. He wouldn't just yell at a judge, he would stand there and pout for like five minutes. I would not mind a thrown racket (at the ground, not at somebody) or some f-bombs and harsh complaints about the call or the umpire's abilities, but this was far beyond that and without excuse. Did she think the umpire had a smug look on her face like "I just made a call that's gonna cost you the match" or what?

Much as I like her and much as I understand (and approve of) some emotion in the game, there is really no defense for what she said/did.

No reasonable one anyway.

[malaise]

66. I didn't support Serena's melt down but

maybe she's learning a lot from Rethugs. These morons are supported by hacks at M$Greedia and people in high places. Comments at pre-election rallies, town halls and and Wilson calling the President a liar are great examples on how to behave for people everywhere.

I'm betting Serena will receive more condemnation that the racists on the Mall yesterday.

[Dorian Gray]

68. Sure they did

Everyone thought he was a petulant child at best, an asshole at worst.

[onenote]

130. if you think mcenroe would've gotten away with what williams did you obviously didn't follow tennis

during the years McEnroe was playing.

Otherwise you'd know that he was disqualified from the Australian Open in 1990 for his behavior and that in 1987 he was suspended for two months and fined $17,500 for his behavior at the US Open. And over the years, he was fined on a number of other occasions.

Its your right to make up stuff, but don't be surprised when the facts are pointed out.

[hfojvt]

38. Are you sure she said that? What is your source?

That would be pretty bad. A direct threat like that. McEnroe generally just stopped play and complained to the umpire about the call and he would have refused to continue playing until he got some satisfaction or got warned and warned. He never threatened anybody. Nastase might have, but not McEnroe that I can recall.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

39. Here you go.

That being said, that's no excuse for Serena to berate an official. Wrong as the official may have been, there's a line that to be crossed and Serena did it pretty early on in her diatribe by saying, "I'm going to shove this ball down your f------ throat".

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/blog/busted_racquet/post/Serena-Williams-berates-official-loses-match-fo?urn=ten,189028

[dolphindance]

48. She was wrong. But read the comments in that article you linked. The racial stuff flying hard.

Is it possible for a specific black person to behave badly and it NOT be a reflection on all black people? Because that is what happens every time somebody (in our race) screws up. Like I said it's like we're always on probation and have to be perfect 24/7.

God forbid wait until Tiger Woods does something dumb. He'll be disowned by America and then become "just another one of them".

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

50. Tiger wouldn't do anything that stupid. I've never seen Venus threaten a linesman.

[hfojvt]

56. Tiger Woods is untouchable.

He could be disowned by America, but either a) he'd still keep winning and make a fair amount of money that way or b) he'd no longer win and have to scrape by on the multi-millions that he's already made. I think he'd be okay either way. Of course, I never liked Woods or golf.

[suzie]

67. The comments are simply wrong and unfortunate.

Serena is not a reflection on all black people. She's not even a reflection on all Williams sisters.

Venus played in a championship match recently where she received several foot faults. She didn't challenge the calls. She did lose the match and didn't complain afterwards, simply repeating that it's tennis and some days you lose.

[MellowDem]

100. Well...

Taking comments from an article online as representative of "America" or "whites" or whoever is the same logic as what those posters were saying about Serena and all blacks. The vast majority of whites don't think that way, it's just that racists and bigots, who are passionate about these kinds of things, will post it on the internet because it's anonymous. And actually a lot of those posts are just people who like to get a rise out of others and don't even believe what they write.

But I think your post is a bit of an overreaction to say the least. Comments to articles are notoriously populated by idiots, extremists, haters, and people who just want to get a rise out of others.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

40. and another.

Dropping the f-word liberally, Williams said, "I swear to God I'm going to take this ball and shove it down your throat, you hear that? I swear to God."

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4468762


You can watch the video and hear it yourself.

[hfojvt]

47. yep, that is pretty clear and waaaay over the line

I gotta call a mouth fault on that one. She needed to find a much better way to protest that call.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

41. The she went on to say she had no idea how the line judge would have felt threatened.

A petulant little rich girl in my opinion.

[hfojvt]

55. yeah, that was pretty silly

she's supposedly 5-9 and 150 pounds. She could probably kick my a$$ although I have a few inches and a few pounds on her. She's almost twice the size of that line judge. What? Me? Threatening? Why would somebody feel threatened just because an athlete twice their size was snarling at them? That's preposterous.

[WillowTree]

51. Slightly different footage on ESPN web page. See here.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4469048&categoryid=2378529

She said what she said. Was it an overreaction on the part of the line judge to say that she was "threatened"? Of course it was. You can't tell me that she honestly thought that Williams intended to shove a ball down her throat. I hate it when people think that exaggerating will make their point stronger, particularly with an accurate statment of what Serena actually said would have sufficed.

Still, the unsportsmanlike conduct call was a good one, whether the foot fault call was or not.

[Sugarcoated]

53. The umpire called the lineswoman over

to find out what was said. It's irrelevant if she actually felt threatened, if she even did feel that way, the umpire deemed what was said, and the way it was said, broke conduct rules. It's unsportsmanlike, not to mention verbally abusive. If tennis doesn't have concrete rules on this kind of thing, other players will start doing it. Would it be right not to apply the rules to Serena just because she's who she is? I bet they don't make exceptions for the lower ranked players.

[dolphindance]

57. Yeah, but someone here thinks she deserves a 6 mos. suspension.

Mostly because she is black, successful, and confident. He hates that. If we are great successes, then we need to be meek and respectful because we owe so much to the white man for bringing us to America.

[Sugarcoated]

58. That sounds extreme

but you can't say it's because she's black. You don't know that. Maybe it's the content of her character, or lack thereof.

[WillowTree]

61. O good grief......

[vadawg]

64. you got to be joking right, she went over the line and will be appropriately punished

do you think michael vick was picked on to, sometimes the time fits the crime you know..

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

77. Who are you referring to?

[TK421]

108. What a crock of shit...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

109. I guess the Grand Slam Committee is full of racists then.

Serena fined, more punishment possible

NEW YORK – Serena Williams faces an anxious wait to see if she is to be banned from future Grand Slam tournaments following her controversial outburst at the U.S. Open.

Williams was levied with a $10,000 fine by the U.S. Open for unsportsmanlike conduct on Sunday for her foul-mouthed tirade at a line judge the night before, as she slumped to a semifinals defeat to Kim Clijsters. The fine was the maximum possible at this stage.

An additional $500 fine for racket abuse was also imposed by tournament referee Brian Earley, but those on-site punishments could be just the tip of the iceberg for the world No. 2.

A further investigation by the Grand Slam Committee, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports on Saturday night, has already begun and will prompt serious concern from Williams and her supporters.

The committee has the authority to strip Williams of her entire $350,000 prize purse for this tournament, plus hand down a ban for future Slams starting with the 2010 Australian Open. However, she is expected to be allowed to compete in Monday’s women’s doubles final alongside sister Venus.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ro-serenafine091309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[BoneDaddy]

143. Total crock

Stop hiding behind racism as a justification for bad behavior. She behaved abhorently.

[truebrit71]

145. Colour of the skin isn't a factor...the athlete told the official "I will assault you"...

..never mind a six month suspenion, she should be charged with a crime...

[BlooInBloo]

162. Love your creative use of quotation marks.

[truebrit71]

170. Huh?

:shrug:

[A-Schwarzenegger]

173. Did Serena say the words "I will assault you"?

:*

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

183. I'll come over there and shove this tennis ball down your fucking throat, so help me God.

She actually did assault her if one was following the letter of the law.

[WillowTree]

60. I could swear that I *said* I agreed that the UC call was correct. Relax already!

[Sugarcoated]

185. I know what you said

I was pointing out that whether she actually felt threatened is irrelevant, rules are rules. Chillax.

[mr1956]

37. McEnroe swore at a linesman in a 1981 match

There was no recording of what he actually said but he was fined because of that and another infraction. I don't agree with Serena's actions but I don't think it takes any thing away from Kim's win. It was a phenomenal game.

[WillowTree]

59. On a somewhat lighter note, the best "outburst" I ever heard in a tennis match...

...was in Jimmy Connors match against Aaron Krickstein in 1991. After what he perceived as a bad call, he walked over to the chair umpire and said "Kiss me before you do that to me."

Still makes me smile when I recall that my Mom was watching that match and she called me to ask what Connors had meant by that remark. When I explained it to her, she laughed for about ten minutes.

[fujiyama]

62. I don't watch a lot of tennis

but from what I can tell, it wasn't a good call. I'm not going to speculate as to her motives or possible prejudices though.

But Serena really lost it there. If she had kept cool, she probably would have lost the match still, but I think many would have at least said the lineswoman made a bad call, and there may have been some sympathy.

Even though "I'm gonna shove a ball down your throat" may not really sound like a threat on someone's life, I can see why the lineswoman may have felt threatened especially when you have that person yelling that in your face - and when the woman threatening you is considerably tougher and larger than you!

Oh well. Unfortunate overall. While this kind of thing is entertaining in terms of its shock value, it really is unsportsmanlike and disgusting. Though, I'm more sickened as to the racist reaction on youtube and other places using this as an excuse to just spout racist shit. Why is it that whenever a non white player does something stupid, it's a reflection on his/her race, while it's never the case with white people? Granted, youtube comments are always a cesspool and brings out the absolute dregs of humanity (or what is said to be humanity). I'd be happy to just block the comments altogether when I see videos there.

I also feel bad for Clijsters, who played well and now may be seen by some as winning it by a technicality.

[MellowDem]

71. I think she did it on purpose.

She felt she was going to lose, so instead of losing fair and square, she thought she would throw a fit and *lose* because of that, but not actually lose fair and square. Incredibly childish.

[LisaL]

73. I have no idea what was on her mind. But her losing it at match point certainly took the glory off

the declared winner. Who is talking about the winner?
Everybody is talking about Serena Williams losing it because of a penalty.

[MellowDem]

74. I think that was the point as well...

kinda a shitty thing to do to your opponent.

[Jackeens]

84. Jeez, if you think Serena threw the match at that point you sure don't know Serena! n/t

[MellowDem]

103. I'm assuming you don't either...

It's just my opinion, and it's not to hard to see that by acting the way she did, she knew she was throwing away the match, especially after breaking her racket.

[MellowDem]

104. dupe nt

[Pangolin2]

85. I think she should be banned from tennis permanently.

...

[tekisui]

87. Really? Why?

[Pangolin2]

90. For being an arrogant twit, I suppose.

Maybe you can think of a better reason...

[bigwillq]

That doesn't warrant a lifetime ban.

And again, find me the spot in the rulebook that warrants a lifetime ban because of being an arrogant twit?

[Name removed]

96. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigwillq]

99. And what do you mean

by the second part of your answer? :shrug:

"Hell, she'd probably like it."

[Name removed]

111. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jackeens]

92. That would leave about 3 players on the pro tennis circuit.

:shrug:

[Pangolin2]

95. Fine by me.

...

[Jackeens]

98. But we'd only have one and a half semi-finals.

:shrug:

[tekisui]

101. She didn't do anything ban-worthy.

Maybe a fine or a suspension. I don't think anyone(other than you) is suggesting she be banned for life from tennis. I take it you don't like Serena Williams?

[bigwillq]

102. She got fined 10K (the max)

for an unsportsmanlike conduct and $500 for smashing her racket. The USTA is still investigating whether or not more penalties will be assessed.

[tekisui]

106. That all sounds reasonable.

She lost her cool. It happens.

[bigwillq]

107. I think it's reasonable too.

And I am not sure of the rules, or at least haven't found anything yet, as to what the penalty is, as far as suspension, for what Serena did. I know some baseball players, football players, etc..get certain suspensions (3 games, 5 games, etc..) for certain violations. Not sure what the tennis rules are. But I am pretty sure a lifetime ban is not a penalty that will be assessed to Serena because of her actions.

[Pangolin2]

120. Supporters of Joe Wilson (I am not one) say the same thing.

Just sayin'

[tekisui]

122. I think she should be punished, as I said a fine and a suspension

would be adequate. Wilson is a moron who lost his cool. He is getting his punishment now. I wouldn't expect him to be kicked out of Congress.

[Pangolin2]

113. Wow, not much gets by you, does it?

:D

I think she's an arrogant loudmouth and I hate it that she has any cachet representing the USA in a world sport.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

116. The Grand Slam Committee is considering a ban.

[bigwillq]

89. Why?

:shrug: She had an outburst. She was wrong. She lost her temper. She was fined. She may face more penalties, but being banned permanently is likely not going to be one of them. The USTA, imo, would never ban anyone for life because of that. There's nothing in the rulebook that warrants a lifetime ban because of what she did.

[Pangolin2]

91. I just said what I think, not what the rulebook provides for. Uh, I -am- allowed to have

an opinion on the thread's subject, am I not?
:-)

[bigwillq]

93. Of course you can have an opinion

but justify your statement with a rule. Testing positive for a banned substance a second time warrants a lifetime ban per the rules. What Serena did (even if we think it's the worst thing anyone can do) does not warrant it.

[Pangolin2]

94. Now I have to cite a rule to have an opinion? Remind me again just what fucking country this is...?

A statement is generally a claim of fact...I didn't do that.
:eyes:

[bigwillq]

97. But the only answer you did give was that she was a twit

an arrogant one. Fine, your opinion, I am fine with that part.

But if you were caught running a traffic light, we couldn't put you in jail for life because that's not what the max penalty is for that violation even if someone had an opinion that you should get life because you were a twit.

[Pangolin2]

114. Never had so much trouble with the English language. I clearly noted, and you concurred

that I was voicing an opinion but you keep insisting I have to justify it...legally or otherwise. I don't. You don't have to produce any 'evidence' for YOUR opinions either. Why is this so hard to grasp?

[bigwillq]

144. My issue was never with your opinion.

I just felt you were being irrational in your comment of how she should be punished. It doesn't make sense to me that someone would think she should be banned for life when the max penalty for what she did would never be a lifetime ban. We can differ on opinion, that is fine, but at least be reasonable. I wouldn't want you to by my Judge.

[zoff]

110. Any form of verbal abuse must not be tolerated. Period.

Not in any sport. Especially at the highest levels of publicly viewed and televised sports. These professionals make heaps of money and we should come to expect the highest levels of sportsmanship from them. The umpires and tournament officials made the appropriate call. Unless anyone can show a video or still of that exact moment, we cannot second guess the line judge. If the same evidence is available to the referees committee, then they too will make the appropriate judgement.

[Blue-Jay]

134. This is a long thread, and I'm trying to figure out why I give a shit.

Hey! How about a nice picture of Serena Williams?

[DeepBlueC]

135. Appreciating sportsmanlike behavior

is a big part of my appreciation of sports. One can become very emotional about a game but it's no longer sporting when reactions become uncivilized, on the field or in the stands.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

136. SERENA's contrite heartfelt APOLOGY to the lineswoman:

“Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don’t agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human and I look forward to continuing the journey, both professionally and personally, with you all as I move forward and grow from this experience.”

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2009-09-13/2327.php

[tishaLA]

139. I guess I'm missing where she mentions the lineswoman

and where she says she's sorry.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

140. Oh. She must have forgotten the apology part of the apology.

I think the part about her passion for her job was heartfelt though.

[Drunken Irishman]

155. lol

[BlooInBloo]

163. Doesn't matter. As you can see in this thread, *nothing* will satisfy people...

There's just something about Serena...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

172. Did she have Apology, Part 2?

:)

[Rex]

137. Won't be the first tennis player who lost it on a judge.

[LatteLibertine]

138. Serena went a bit over the top

and I still feel sorry for her. If you want to see some foul racist comments just search her name at YouTube. It's ridiculous.

Hopefully one day people will get over that sort of nonsense.

[Romulox]

146. This seems really uncharacteristic of Serena. She should be strongly admonished,

perhaps fined. But I don't think any suspension is in order.

[bigwillq]

148. She was fined.

$10,000 (which is the max) for unsportsmanlike conduct, and $500 for smashing her racket. They are reviewing the incident to see if more punishment will be assessed.

[Gator_Matt]

147. She probably cost herself a lot of future calls as well

I bet a lot of linesmen will remember this incident and will be less likely to give her the benefit of the doubt on close calls. She can't challenge everything.

[BlooInBloo]

149. Another nice apology this morning. Unfortunately she is about to discover....

That there's *something* different about her - that, for some unknown reason, it is literally impossible for her to apologize enough. That no matter how many times she apologizes, a ginormous amount of people will still call for more, *more*, *MORE* punishment.

[cwydro]

151. Your OP is incorrect.

I cannot believe how people who obviously do not know the first thing about tennis keep posting erroneous OPs on this subject.

She did NOT default. She was NOT disqualified. She received a code violation on match point,costing her that point, which automatically gave Clijsters the match.

I hate ignorance when it is so blatant.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

154. The OP should be fined and suspended.

:*

[bigwillq]

156. Banned for life (nt)

[A-Schwarzenegger]

157. Lose all her commercial endorsements.

[bigwillq]

158. Be forced to watch only Glenn Beck

for the rest of her life while being banned for life and fined 6 trillion $$$.

:rofl:

[cwydro]

160. lol!

[DeepBlueC]

164. oopsie

My terminology was wrong. What difference does it make? I look forward to further education.

[Renew Deal]

167. It makes a huge difference

There's a big difference between being disqualified and losing on points, no matter when they were scored.

[DeepBlueC]

171. She may have lost on points

but she didn't lose playing. That's the distinction as I saw in it. I appreciate being educated on the the technical details of the violations and the penalties. I have never seen such a big game end like this.

[DeepBlueC]

177. if I could still edit the text...

Serena Williams loses semi on a code violation at match point

Where were you when I needed you? ;)

[Mosby]

161. I think Serena should withdraw from every major tourney

until the tennis association adopts some kind of video review of calls like the type used by the NFL. There is really no excuse in this day and age for allowing bad calls like this to go unchallenged.

[bigwillq]

165. There is a review system

but not for foot faults. They should indeed change the rules so that foot faults can be reviewed.

[snooper2]

166. people watch tennis

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



couldn't resist :)


groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan miss ball



groan...groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan miss ball



groan...groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan hit ball

groan miss ball


:)

A married couple go to hospital together to have their baby delivered. When they arrive, the doctor says they have just taken delivery of a new machine which transfers a portion of the mother’s pain to the father.
“Would you be willing to try it out?” asks the doctor.
“Yes of course,” says the husband, who is very much a Sensitive New Age Guy. As the woman goes into labour, the doctor sets the machine to 10 per cent and asks the man if it hurts.
“No, it’s fine,” he says. The doctor raises the setting to 20 per cent. “Still okay,” says the man. The doctor gradually lifts the setting to 50 per cent. The husband closes his eyes and grits his teeth, but insists he can cope without any problem, so the doctor raises it gradually to 75 per cent.
“I can take it,” says the husband. “Give me the full 100 per cent.” So the doctor does, and the wife bears the baby with no pain at all. The doctor goes off to write up the case for The Lancet, while the couple take their baby home.
On the doorstep they find the wife’s tennis coach dead.

[immoderate]

184. Looks like her foot's on the tape to me.

--imm