Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Serena Update
A quick update on tennis superstar Serena Williams and the harsh threats she gave a line judge during the U.S. Open: She has been fined a US record (for, im assuming, woman's tennis) $82,500 and has been threatened herself to be suspended from any play in the US Open if she commits any more “major offenses” at any Grand Slam over the next two years. It's a pretty harsh punishment, and it's clear that the US Open is handling this in a very serious matter (they must have heard our cries for justice when we blogged just after the incident had happened). I've always been fond of Venus and Serena, and so I was disappointed by her immature little outburst, but since then she has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I had a chance to watch the interview first-hand, and was impressed by how well she had handled the issue when Stewart playfully brought it up (this was before the fines were made public). Serena was able to laugh at herself with Jon and the audience while also making a point of mentioning how it was a mistake and not something to be proud of. Based on what I've seen and claim to know about Serena (whatever little amount that is) I've always been under the impression that she's a genuine and good-hearted person, and she is fully aware that she crossed the line at the Open. I doubt she will make the same mistake again, and I also doubt that she will appeal or make any kind of negative statement about the punishment that's been issued to her. My guess is she will get past all this and continue her career as a competitive professional tennis player without repeat offenses. I just feel bad she has to live in the shadow of this mistake for the next two years, a punishment that may seem a little excessive based on the crime, but it sends a message to tennis players that the game is, and always has been, about sportsmanship and “classy” players. The last thing the US Open wants is another McEnroe on their hands.
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I happen to think giving athletes fines is just pointless. Do they really think 82k is going to effect her in anyway. She basically makes that in a week and at the end of the day she didn't learn her lesson. They need to either start fining these athletes where it might actually jeopardize their finances or simply suspend them. Serena showed an evil side that day and honestly I think it shows who she really is deep down. Good story though. Ty
ReplyDeleteI disagree with pbogz's response to your blog. I do agree with the fact that fining athletes is rather pointless, because the amount of money they make the fines do not even add up to what they make in a couple of weeks. However I do not agree that Serena is really a mean person, or that she really was going to harm the line judge in any way. Athletes are hot headed. All of them! Making mistakes, and not playing to the best of their abilities may make them a little mad and they can take it out on the wrong people. I think that is exactly what Serena did that day. She really thought the line judge had made a bad call, and even though judge's call was correct she just over reacted. John McEnroe had to be the worst display of an athlete in the World of Tennis. He made a scene about everything, and yet he made money to act like an asshole. He has to live with that reputation now, but people still think he was a great player. Serena over reacted one time and now will probably be badgered about that for atleast the next couple of years. Despite all that she is still a great tennis player, and shouldn't have to be judged because of her over reaction. She admitted she was wrong, and hopefully something like this never happens again.
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