Serena Williams was fined $2,000 for verbally abusing the chair umpire during U.S. Open final

Tennis Star Could Face Sanctions

POSTED: Monday, September 12, 2011

Serena Williams was fined $2,000 on Monday for verbally abusing the chair umpire during her loss to Sam Stosur in Sunday's U.S. Open final, the tournament referee Brian Earley said.

Flushing Meadows, NY -- First she lost her cool, and then Serena Williams lost her match at the U.S. Open championship at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.

Williams was upset by Australia's Samantha Stosur in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, but the controversy is over her verbal match with a chair umpire.

It began in the first game of the second set. Williams, facing a break point, let out a scream of “C’mon!” after smashing a shot into the open court. Stosur had no chance for the ball, but Williams’ shout occurred while Stosur was lunging to make a play, so chair umpire Eva Asderaki awarded Stosur the point and the game.

The crowd booed at the call and Williams, who was livid, approached the umpire.


According to the judge, Williams said, “Aren’t you the one who screwed me last time? Do you have it out for me? That’s totally not cool.”


Asderaki said Williams continued to talk during the changeover and at one point Williams reportedly said to the judge, “You’re out of control. You’re a hater. We’re in America last time I checked. Don’t look my way. You’re unattractive inside.

You’re out of control, out of control.” Williams said she thought the shot was a winner and that “She (Stosur) did great just to put her racket on it.” Williams said she screamed because it was one of the few shots she hit during the match.

The umpire had the option of replaying the point if she did not think Williams’ scream was intentional.

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In the next game, Williams hit an early winner, looked at the umpire, made a comment, and received a warning from the chair.

Afterward, Williams said she could not remember what she said to the umpire, explaining that “we athletes give 2,000 percent.”

The lack of apology or regret seemed to anger USTA officials.

The USTA announced Sunday night that tournament referee Brian Earley is reviewing the incident on tape.

Earley said Williams, who was already on USTA probation because of an incident in 2009 at the U.S. Open, could face a fine and have her probation period extended.