Slap on the wrist

AP reports that Serena Williams has been fined $2,000 by the U.S. Open for berating the chair umpire during the final.
"You ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way. You're a hater and you're unattractive inside." she said to umpire Eva Asderaki.

Tournament referee Brian Earley issued his ruling Monday, a day after Williams was cited by chair umpire Eva Asderaki for a code violation for verbal abuse during a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Sam Stosur at Flushing Meadows.

Williams earned $1.4 million at the U.S. Open: $900,000 for reaching the final, plus a $500,000 bonus for finishing first in the standings of the U.S. Open Series, which takes into account results at hard-court tuneup tournaments.

The USTA also said Grand Slam committee director Bill Babcock determined ``Williams' conduct ... does not rise to the level of a major offense.'' She was under probation because of an outburst at the 2009 U.S. Open.

According to http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/sp...ef=todayspaper Gold badge chair umpires, the highest-rated officials in professional tennis, the ones who work the most important tournaments and matches, make $250 each day at the Open. It is the lowest pay rate for any Grand Slam tournament.

"unattractive inside"

That girl has a lot to learn about cutting remarks.

SERENA'S RANT AT U.S OPEN..from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2036471/Serena-Williams-US-Open-outburst-2011-final-umpire-I-truly-despise-you.html

'I don't understand.

'I'm not giving her that game. If anything, we need a replay.

'Aren't you the one that screwed me over last time here? Yeah you are.

'Seriously, you have it out for me?

'I promise you, that's not cool. That's totally not cool.

'I truly despise you.

'If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control, you're out of control.

'You're totally out of control. You're a hater and you're just unattractive inside.

'Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser.

'You get a code violation because I express who I am. We're in America last I checked.

'Can I get a water? Or am I going to get violated for a water?

'Really, don't even look at me. I promise you don't look at me because I am not... Don't look my way.'

She looks like a linebacker.Can be very intimidating .Asderaki to her cedit seemed unflappable.No apologies offered in the interview afterwords.

Pah, that's pocket change for her.

The fine is truly pathetic. What was the point in even fining her? Not serious enough to violate her probation. What did she have to do, punch the umpire? The authorities seem to run scared from the top stars these days. Youngsters taking up the sport are never going to be well behaved if they see top stars acting like this and getting away with it.

Ironically a slap on the wrist is probably harsher than what she received.

I would give her a good kick in the a##s.......more appropriate, what a arrogant b##h

I don't know, I think there is an amusing side to this. Who knows when she retires she could get a job as a commentator and make ads with some of the gems she's provided in her fits of rage. I think there was a guy who was quite successful with that; he used to play in the 80s I think.

yes gems as "you are unattractive inside" will stay with me forever. I have always thought about Serena that she was rather unattractive in and out

I remember seeing bits of some random interview at wimbledon a few years ago and her personality came across as fairly endearing as she wasn't talking about or playing tennis. Speaking of gems "you cannot be serious" is a real diamond. Its a good thing these guys chose to pursue tennis.

Totally agree that the fine is a joke. It's small change to players like her. Surely docking ranking points or a proper ban or suspension would make far more sense.

Really poor decision. 2,000 is nothing for Serena. I really cant wait to see the back of this person. I will be sad to see Venus go though as she is a lovely charachter.

Strange how you can have to people so unalike that grew up together.