What Did Serena Williams Say To Judge At US Open?
The Serena William vs. Kim Clijsters US Open 2009 semi-final match ended dramatically after Serena Williams’ unacceptable outburst at a line judge.
Williams, 27, was serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the second set and faulted on her first serve. On the second serve, a line judge called a foot fault, making it a double-fault, which made the score 15-40, putting Kim Clijsters one point from victory.
Williams then turned to the lineswoman and began yelling and cursing.
The tennis player reportedly 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.”
The judge claims the Grand Slam champ threatened to kill her during the incident.
“I didn’t threaten (her). I didn’t say…I don’t remember anymore, to be honest. I was in the moment. And, you know, everyone’s fighting for every point. It was a really crucial
point, 15-30, actually.”
The Tennis star, still angry over the loss, said she’s not about to say sorry either.
“An apology? From me? Well, how many people yell at linespeople?” Williams said.
John Mcenroe would be proud.
Facebook comments:
Internal testicles.
Ya know, if it turns out that one of the people behind the judge heard every word, and that Indeed Serena did not actually threaten the woman, most of these reporters are guilty of some serious slander!
To me, it’s mighty suspicious that neither video nor audio nor first hand report during such a public spectacle are available, and yet so many have jumped on the slander bandwagon already.
@ John
If you watch some of the clips on Youtube, you can hear exactly what she says very clearly. And yes, she did threaten the line judge with shoving the ball down her throat.
BUT the question remains ~
Did she threaten to kill the line judge?
&& I agree with John
“it’s mighty suspicious that neither video nor audio nor first hand report during such a public spectacle are available”
~ I mean honestly after all the incidents like this you would think they’d have figured it out by now!
BUT the question remains ~
Did she threaten to kill the line judge?
&& I agree with Matt
“it’s mighty suspicious that neither video nor audio nor first hand report during such a public spectacle are available”
~ I mean honestly after all the incidents like this you would think they’d have figured it out by now!
REGARDLESS,
IT’S AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I JUST HAPPEN TO BE WATCHING WHEN SERENA SLAMMED HER TENNIS RACKET ON THE GROUND. DISGRACEFUL BEHAVIOUR IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE WORLD.
ELIZABETH METCALF GLEASON
It might be time to let the umpire view tv footage to verify if a footfault has happened. I say this because its unacceptable this century to have the outcome of major sporting events decided (or heavily influenced) by faulty officiating. Small wonder that players and spectators go ape from time to time, especially when its clear that they’ve been shafted. Soccer anyone? Unfortunately Serena didn’t manage her emotions very well at the time, but thats not the real problem here.
if i was Kim Clijsters i could not and would not accept a win over the great Serena Williams under these circumstance. i would want to win under fair and equal conditions no win by disqualification that is not honorable. this line judge was scared for her life most people around the world would run in fear of a strong and muscular , take charge afro american woman. people need to put away their fear and intimidation and understand the different people around the world and how we stereotype them. i dont think that lady should have been the line judge for this match. however on the flip side serena should have brought her “A” game she is a professional and this game was the first of many out bust. it was not a good look for us as afro americans. however she accepted the outcome, shook Kim Clijsters hand and congratulated her on her win.
Anna Getitova
You would accept a win under the conditions Kim Clijsters has found herself and so would ever other person. Kim was in a position to win without the penalties. The penalties preempted that opportunity and shouldn’t necessitate her resignation. I’m sure she would have rather won or lost under different circumstances.
Image it is the final game of the baseball world series and the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs. The team at bat is behind by one run. The count had been run to 3 balls and 2 strikes. The pitcher serves up the next pitch and the batter believing it to be clearly a ball takes the pitch hoping to walk to first base and tie the game. The umpire calls strike three and the series is lost. The pitcher realizes it evidently was a close call on the corner but has her/his doubts about it being a strike. No way does the pitcher protest and offer a repitch or a walk. It just ain’t going to happen and shouldn’t.
It wasn’t a bad look for African Americans any more than any other outburst by a tennis player would be a bad look for their race/ethnicity. It simply was an incident where a tennis player lost her composure. The stadium where the event occured is named after a humanitarian and person of great character. He’s African American. And the list and stories could go on. African Ameicans have nothing to prove when it comes to their humanity and contributions to the world.
Like MLK, I prefer to not judge people by the color of their skin, etc. Serena is human and had a problem that day. She has played countless matches without outbursts. The Williams family is a great tennis success story and I wish the best for them. If Serena can control here emotions under these most tense conditions (even when you believe the call is wrong), tennis will be better off with her than without her.
I think it’s safe to say that if you shove a tennis ball someone’s throat that would sufficiently kill them. She may not have said directly that she will ‘kill’ her, but the what she said completely inappropriate in any sport. She has been in the limelight long enough to know better.