Serena Williams Fined For Calling Umpire A “Hater”

The media has been in a frenzy over Serena Williams’ outburst against the chair umpire, Eva Asderaki, at the U.S. Open Women’s Final on Sunday (Septmeber 11^th). The incident took place in the first game of the second set. Williams sent a forehand winner to opponent, Samantha Stosur, backhand side. This famous tennis move was supposed to ensure Serena’s victory for the set. But when Samantha was able to hit it back successfully, Serena yelled

That outburst brought into play the hindrance rule. Under this rule, if the distraction is unintentional, the point is replayed. If the action is deliberate, as is in Williams’ case, the point is awarded to the opponent. Serena was displeased with the consequences, which led to her verbal tirade. She said to the umpire:

On Tuesday, Serena was fined $2,000 by tournament referee Brian Earley, which is about 14-hundredths of a percent of her $1.4 million earnings from the night before. Her previous tennis match won her $900,000 for her runner-up finish to Samantha Stosur and $500,000 for her first-place finish in the U.S. Open Series standings. Her most recent fine seems small compared to the $82,500 fine she got in 2009 for a similar outburst at the United States Open. That one landed her on Grand Slam probation. However, this situation wasn’t deemed as serious. Earley explained:

Meanwhile, sources close to Williams say that she deeply sorry for the incident. Had Sunday’s outburst been deemed ‘major,’ Williams could have been suspended from the 2012 U.S. Open. Do you think Williams’ outburst warranted the fine and media attention?

Sources: NYtimes, LAtimesblogs

– @Ayo_Leslo