Williams' outburst judged too harshly

By Brad Simmons
Sep 15, 2009

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Much has been made of Serena Williams’ outburst in her semi-final loss at the US Open. I really don’t see what the fuss is about.

There were a lot of factors that fueled emotions to boil over.

Both Williams and her opponent Kim Clijsters sat around all day waiting to play a match they didn’t know would even be played.

Clearly Clijsters outplayed Serena for much of the night. Williams was on the ropes and the match was all but over.

Then it happened…Serena serves, foot fault called by the lines woman and the bottom falls out. Many have characterized this as a meltdown. She felt she had been wronged and clearly was upset and let the lines woman know she wasn’t happy about the call.

Should this be any surprise? Sports are emotional. Athletes pour every bit of themselves into getting to the professional level. When you put your heart and soul into something and it doesn’t pan out, then something’s going to give. That’s just competitive nature.

Only one person knows if it was a foot fault and clearly Serena Williams disagreed. Unfortunately there was no camera angle that confirmed the fault. So who’s to say who was right and who was wrong?

The commentators, Dick Enberg, Mary Carillo and John McEnroe, had their opinions on the outburst. Enberg saying something to the effect of Champions don’t act like that. Hello, Dick, do you realize who is sitting beside you? Only one of best tennis players of all-time in McEnroe and a person who clearly knows how give somebody the business.

I’m sure looking back everyone involved would have liked to have avoided the situation, but the fact is the human element was in full swing, whether it be the lines woman erred in her call or Serena thinking she didn’t fault or the ensuing emotional outburst.

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RE: Williams' outburst judged too harshly

I agree with Simmon's comments. The punishment doesn't fit the behavior. I think the judges are trying to make an example out of Serena Williams. In all the history of tennis, a punishment of this magnitude has never been given to any other player for their behavior. I think it needs to be overturn.

RE: Williams' outburst judged too harshly

I agree with Simmon's comments. The punishment didn't fit the behavior. I think the ruling was totally ridiculous. I have seen worse behavior on the tennis court, but didn't receive such punishment. The ruling needs to be consistent with other behavior.

RE: Williams' outburst judged too harshly

I totally agree with Simmon's comments. It's looks as though the league has come up with their own rule and regulations--depending on who violates them. The fine did not fit the behavior.

RE: Williams' outburst judged too harshly

Simmon's view on this is unbelievable. How anyone could make light of such a blatant display of poor sportsmanship and a loss of self-control of at least 98% (loss of the other 2% and Williams would have done what she threatened to do.) Nothing... NOTHING! No amount of pressure or "desire to win" justifies such behavior. That anyone would fail to see that is indicative of reasons why the national shouting match we see over every issue is as vitriolic as they are.

RE: Williams' outburst judged too harshly

Old story. New topic needed.

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