Thirteen-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams was in danger of being banned from the US Open 2011 after her outburst against the umpire in Sunday’s women’s final. However, the three-time US Open winner only received a $2,000 from the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Williams was on a two-year probation after she verbally lashed out at a lineswoman in 2009. On Sunday, she put on a similar act after the umpire Eva Asderaki awarded a point to her opponent, Australia’s Samantha Stosur, after Williams celebrated a point before it was over.
“U.S. Open Tournament Referee Brian Earley has fined Serena Williams $2,000 following the code violation issued for verbal abuse during the women’s singles final. This fine is consistent with similar offenses at Grand Slam events,” the U.S. Tennis Association said in a statement on Monday.
“After independently reviewing the incident which served as the basis for the code violation, and taking into account the level of fine imposed by the U.S. Open referee, the Grand Slam Committee Director has determined that Ms. Williams’ conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offense under the Grand Slam Code of Conduct,” USTA added.
The $2,000 fine was a far cry from the $82,500 fine Williams received from the 2009 outburst, which cost her a match point and semifinal defeat by eventual champion Kim Clijsters.
Williams lost the 2011 US Open final against Stosur. Read article HERE.
