Serena Williams Speaks Out on US Open Incident, Offers No Apology
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Almost three days after her controversial outburst during her US Open final loss to Samantha Stosur, Serena Williams offered a statement this morning on twitter.
“My emotions did get the best of me this past weekend when I disagreed with the umpire. It has been a long road to get back to the US Open this year, and I am thankful to have had such a great two weeks in New York,” she wrote.
Serena, who had evaded the issue during her post-match press conference, has yet to apologize for her comments directed at chair umpire Eva Asderaki.
“If you ever see me walking down the hall look the other way because you’re out of control,” Serena scolded Asderaki. “You’re totally out of control, you’re a hater, and you’re unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow… We’re in America last I checked. Can I get a water or am I gonna get violated for a water? Really, don’t even look at me! I promise you, don’t look at me cause I am not the one. Don’t look my way.”
Early in the second set Serena screamed “Come on” after hitting a forehand. But the Asderaki ruled her yell was a hindrance since Stosur had not yet made contact with the ball. Under an interpretation of the rule, the point was awarded to Stosur.
“I actually thought it was a winner, but she did really good to even put her like racquet on it,” Serena said Sunday. “I thought it was a clear winner. I thought it was the hat drop rule, where if you drop a hat you kind of replay the point.”
“I don’t even remember what I said. It was just so intense out there. It’s the final for me, and I was just – I have to go – I guess I’ll see it on YouTube.”
The US Open responded Monday by fining Serena $2,000 for verbal abuse, writing: “After independently reviewing the incident which served as the basis for the code violation, and taking into account the level of fine imposed by the US Open referee, the Grand Slam Committee Director has determined that Ms. Williams’ conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offense under the Grand Slam Code of Conduct.”
Serena was under probation for a far worse outburst during her last visit to the US Open in 2009 when the American was defaulted from her semifinal match against Kim Clijsters.
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