Serena Williams Fined, Faces Probation For The U.S. Open Outburst

by Yuliya Talmazan | November 30, 2009 at 11:21 am

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U.S. tennis player Serena Williams had an emotional outburst in this year's semi-finals of the U.S. Open, when she yelled at a line-judge who called a foot fault, which Serena felt was questionable. The judge said she felt threatened by Williams, who allegedly said she would kill the judge. Williams was penalized a point for unsportmanslike behaviour, losing the match and ultimately the tournament.

Today, Williams was fined for her on-court behaviour at the U.S. Open. The outburst will cost Williams a whopping $82,500 and a two-year probation. Should she violate the code of conduct again in 2010 and 2011, she will be suspended for the next U.S. Open. Her fine will also go up to $175,000 is she commits a 'major offense' again.

Babcock said a "major offence" under Grand Slam rules is "any conduct that is determined to be the 'major offence of aggravated behavior' or 'conduct detrimental to the game.'" There is no specific definition of what sort of actions constitute a "major offence."

Williams has been informed of the ruling. She has been in Barbados for an exhibition tournament, and her agent did not immediately reply to a request for comment Monday.

Williams claimed the 2009 Wimbledon title. She is currently ranked No.1 female player in the world.