
Serena Williams was fined $10,000 on Sunday for her tirade against a line judge at the conclusion of her loss in the semifinals of the United States Open on Saturday, and may face more penalties, including a possible suspension from next year’s Open. Williams, who has already earned $455,000 for singles and doubles at this tournament, was fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $500 for racket abuse, which occurred earlier in the match, by the tournament referee, Brian Earley. The $10,000 was the maximum fine that could be levied on site. Additionally, the administrator for the Grand Slam Committee, Bill Babcock, has opened an investigation into the incident. If that investigation determines that Williams committed a major offense, she could be fined all the money she earned at the tournament and suspended. The Grand Slam administrator has jurisdiction to suspend a player from a Grand Slam event; it would most likely be the same event where the player committed the offense.
Williams approached the baseline judge and, while using profane language, held up a ball and said that the lineswoman was lucky Williams was not “shoving this ball down your throat.” Williams punctuated her outburst by waving her racket at the woman.
Serena was not seen Sunday, although Venus practiced Sunday with their father, Richard Williams, who declined to comment. Although she barely acknowledged any transgression Saturday, Serena released a statement Sunday. She did not apologize.
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