Serena Williams' outburst at tennis match costs her US Open

Are the tantrums and bad behaviour of the tennis world that held so many watchers in thrall years ago making a comeback? Serena Williams lost her cool yesterday, also losing her chance to win the US Open.

Some may cringe over the bad behaviour tennis players exhibited in the 1980s (remember John McEnroe?), but there is no question that an outburst during a tennis game draws an audience like nothing else. So when Serena Williams blew her lid during a high-stakes semi-open game yesterday, the world put on the brakes and ambled over to take a look at what happened. Everyone is curious about what Williams allegedly said that cost her a match point and ultimately the game. Williams is one of the world's best tennis players. The outburst was likened by one reporter to an "Oscar-worthy performance." It was near the end of the match between Williams and contender Kim Clijsters, and the two players had been almost evenly matched in their playing strength. A blog just posted on Williams' website states:

"When Serena was serving to stay in the match at 5-6 she served a fault, but on her next serve a foot fault was called which meant it was a double fault and that in turn gave Clijsters match point. Serena was obviously not happy and replays on TV from different angles showed there was no foot fault."

The blog goes on to explain:

"Serena went over to the linesperson and voiced her displeasure. The linesperson then went to the chair umpire and reported Serena to her at which time the Supervisor and Referee were called on the court.

There was a discussion and the officials issued Serena with a code violation which was a point penalty because she had a warning earlier for breaking her racquet, which didn't affect anyone. It was personal frustration being vented. The tragedy of this was that the point penalty was on match point and that mean the match went to Clijsters."

Screenshot from YouTube video

Williams discusses her code violation with US Open officials

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That "frustration" was not dispelled by the smashing of the raquet. Indeed, the action may have set the stage for the outburst. After the linesman made the "foot" call, according to the Toronto Star, Williams said to the line judge: "If I could, I would take this ------- ball and shove it down your ------- throat and kill you." She complained to the referee, and the tournament chief was called onto the court. Serena walked over and was heard to have said, "I never said I would kill you. Are you serious?" The tirade cost Williams the match. The loss means Williams is out of the US Open, having blown her chances to win, and Clijster is in the game. Williams had been seen as the one player standing in Clijster's way. Clijster has an 18-month old daughter. The US Open is a high-stakes tennis tournament, with the top prize worth more than $1 million U.S. It is the bonuses the winners receive that make the games much more intense. This year, the winners can walk out of the arena weighted down by a couple of million, plus a car ... and likely product endorsement contracts will come their way as well. The 27-year-old's website claims:

"Like numerous A-list celebrities, Serena is recognized by the mere mention of her first name."

Williams is widely recognized, and venerated for being a woman of colour in the white-dominated tennis world. Update 8:10 pm September 13: Serena Williams has had a $10,000 fine set against her for her outburst, and the U.S. Open is looking into whether or not other actions might be appropriate. Williams also has to pay a fine of $500 for smashing her tennis racquet. There is a possibility that officials may suspend Williams for her conduct during the game. Update September 14, 6.32 pm: After a few days to cool off, Serena Williams has expressed remorse for her behaviour, issuing a written apology today, and telling press she wishes she could give the linesman "... a big ol' hug." Serena and her sister, Venus, won their doubles match at the U.S. Tennis Open today.