Face it, we've all had our moments. Fortunately, they don't all end up in video archives.

Well, she has dozens of PR missteps in her career. This year she threatened a player in the third round of the French Open (María José Martínez Sánchez) this year, claiming she was waiting for her in the locker room. This interview was not her worst. If you read other interview transcripts Serena never credits her opponents and often refers to her wealth in a disturbing way I find makes it impossible to root for her. The first thing she said when she won her first round match in the on-court interview was to ask people to buy her new book (while her opponent was exiting the stadium). Of course, she then did a book signing on site at the center. The press has been very kind to her...there are other incidents which they laid low about and let slide under the radar to protect her. By the way, I consider her sister the opposite and root for Venus.

Ever since the Williams sisters and their father made claims of racism against tennis fans I have had no respect for them.

I have watched the sisters since their debut and find their father's influence always bubbling not far underneath their surface charm. And sometimes, like here, the nasty stuff comes out.

Kathy, good job putting this together as you did. Thanks! (do you play?)

ocularnervosa--Point taken.

Lea--Exactly.

Bob--All points well taken about the PR missteps and the kind of year she's having. To answer your questions, I'm no good at tennis, but it's one of my favorite sports to follow and watch. A favorite memory of mine is attending the US Open several years ago; I blogged about it peripherally on an earlier entry about the death of Princess Diana ("Such a Death"). I loved being there in the stadium, and always channel that since when I'm watching on television a world away.

It should be obvious, she wasn't thinking at all.....

It is difficult to tell but her left foot is dangerously close to the line...Generally, a foot fault occurs while bringing the power foot forward. In this case it would have been Serena's right foot...Also, most foot faults occur on the first serve where players are looking to generate as much power off of the power foot/leg as possible. Serena appeared to be just trying to slice the ball into play with no real power or effort...If there was a foot fault it was due to a carelessness mental error...In short she wasn't thinking.....
I believe the chair could have overruled and caused the pointto be played again.....We may never see an analytical video of the "infraction" which causedthe outburst.....No athletic contest should be won or lost in this fashion....Too bad for both Serena AND Clisters.......

Great capture of the pertinent videos, thanks....Rated!

Kathy, if you get a chance I bet you'd enjoy this post I did about the Open;
http://open.salon.com/blog/bob_eckstein/2008/08/29/open_salon_at_the_open_a_post_from_the_us_tennis_center

Thanks, Bob. Loved it, rated it. Kathy Griffin, ha!

We always planned to go to Wimbledon one day, and ended up doing the US Open instead, which I loved. That was our Wimbledon. . .without the Pimms, the strawberries, and the grass courts. And the royal box. We had a great time.

Thanks for putting the link to your US Open post here. As evidenced on Sally's thread, I'm no good at posting links in comments, so you'll have to give me a lesson.

Kathy, thanks for checking it out. It's frowned upon to link yourself in the comments but since there is just a couple of people here it's not like I'm trying to promote myself and I knew you'd get a kick out of it. I went this year and it was empty as many days were due to the weather. Going to Wimbledon is a tremendous sacrifice with waiting we're not accustomed to here. Bring someone VERY interesting to talk with if you ever go.

To include a link, make a post here or on a blog and add a link the regular way. Then copy the hmtl version of it by viewing it in html version (it's a selection when composing a post & erase the post you created just for this sake). Then paste that ugly coding in the comments and it will straighten itself out when it publishes. Try it. Use an earlier post of yours as a test. Good luck.

I've said and done things I regret and there are no excuses for that. There is also no excuse for Serena's behavior, and no excuse for what she said to the line judge nor the way she presented herself as a physical threat to the line judge waving her racquet in a menacing and threatening way. It looks like it may not have been a foot fault, but even if it was it would probably have been best not to call it at that moment? I don't know, I'm usually a stickler for the rules, but there are judgements and nuances given the context sometimes. I can imagine that that poor line judge won't be invited back to any future US Opens--though it would be classy of the organization if they did get her back.

No excuse Serena, a terrible failure in character.

Oooo, Editor's Pick, congrats! But the Williams family will not be pleased.

LP Clark has put up a fine piece on Serena this morning ("Wow Serena, Really? You don't remember? Watch the Replay!"); I'd recommend anyone reading this article also go over to hers and read that one:
http://tinyurl.com/r4f4v6

Ron--Thanks, as always, for your kind words. I'd want to see that foot fault again with a better eye, agree that it was a heck of way to go out. I think Kim Clijsters would agree with your line, "No athletic contest should be won or lost in this fashion." Well said.

Bob (again)--As you can see, I'm now resorting to tinyurl to post links in the comments, so here's the link to "Such a Death," tinyurled, if you're interested in reading it:
http://tinyurl.com/lbwsag

Barry, I agree that the foot fault should not have been called (then in that context) and it definitely wasn't blatant. The chair umpire should have overruled, issued a warning. But I hope nobody buys Serena's book...

But speaking of books and links, I suggest we all buy your book! Please check out Barry's new book fan page!

ha Bob! thanks so much for the link about my book. I promise to do a blog about it in the next week or so. It won't be as nearly as successful as yours or Dave Cullen's or Gwen Cooper's, and that is as it should be--my book is woefully modest--however, it can be viewed as one more OS member who is published!

Barry, your book better out sell mine! I'll let you in on a secret–my book has been invisible (or at least so far) compared to Dave's and Gwen's numbers-wise. I just broke even so I hope your book exceeds that. Feel free to discuss and trade war stories if you want! And good luck!!

See also Kind of Blue's excellent piece on this story, Serena Williams Goes All John McEnroe at US Open.

I can understand and appreciate her professional intensity. But there is never an excuse for the rule and etiquette breaches she so frequently displays. Although she should be suspended, she won't be.

Thanks, Kathy, for the post.

Thanks for these. What a weird blend of poise and spoiled brattiness she is. Next year she'll be playing a block away from my house at the Rogers Tournament. I'll be watching her with my 9 year old son. Tennis is such an awesome way to teach your kid the importance of keeping your cool in stressful situations. He learned so much from watching the Federer/Djokovich U.S. Open match two years back. He had seen the Djoker beat Federer in Montreal the week before, and then watched him lose his temper and the tournament a week later. We still talk about it.

Can't wait to show him this.

Yes! Del Potro just beat Nadal. He was awesome in Montreal a few weeks ago. Such a dramatic player. It's going to be a very, very exciting final.

To ask "she said she felt threatened" about the line judge, instead of backing down and apologizing for her rude and vulgar behavior, just shows how much this young woman has to learn about life and sportsmanship. She needs a course in stress management, and a new coach if this is the best she can behave in public. We shouldn't have to dumb down and accept vulgar behavior, regardless of someone's athletic prowess. It's a game. Meant to be played by ALL the rules, not just the ones she chooses. She's a bully. Pure and simple.

You can take the thug out of Compton but... I'm surprised that her Svengali Dad hasn't turned this into a race issue yet.

We could debate the foot fault and solicit opinions as to wheter it's worth calling a player on during match point at a Slam; endless opinions informed or otherwise but to examine this pulls us a way from the bigger issues. Perhaps we ask too much of pro atheletes or at least their sponsors likely do, but as a base line all should be capable of consistent professionalism, and consider how their words and actions are publically conveyed. As a tennis player and fan, I know emotions can blur our judgements during intense competition, but Serena has been doing this for a while now- we should expect something more with respect to her behavior on and off the court. Then again maybe we should expect nothing because the fact is she demonstrates all the attributes neccessary of a narcisist. I suspect she new her chances were good for losing and did not want to acknowledge. How perfect then to turn it all into something else. This isn't the first time for her to do so. I have more respect for the pro athelete in the middle of their career when they are humble and put their energy into exceling at their sport. Serena tries to be an actress and a clothing designer and simply covets attention and being seen as a relevant celebrity. She should have publicly apologiezed for her unprofessionalism, for diminishing the event for her opponent and for robbing fans in the stadium of a little of the value of the tickets they bought to be there, already jammed due to rain delays. Quite frankly her behavior shoul have resulted in the press walking out of the conference because she didn't have anything worthwhile (or honest) to say. Maybe the USTA and WTA should not only fine her significantly, but also sanction the rest of the year. It seems like she could potentially benefit from being given time to cool off and reflect a bit and what it means to be a representative of her country on a global stage. She is at a point where she is long overdue to elevate her maturity. Those Boos coming from the stand represented more than dislike for what happened, it was a dislike of Serena as a person that seems only capable of thinking of herself and little else. She needs a break, we all do.

I'm thankful that there were no video cameras (hadn't been in wide circulation yet) when I was competing in my chosen sports, baseball and hockey. I actually punched an umpire. I was 13 but I carry the shame to this day. Serena is not 13 and her antics cheapen the sport.

That was very poor behavior by Serena, who's quite the diva, but NOBODY calls an iffy foot fault for match point. NOBODY. That is beyond ticky-tack. Nobody wants to see a championship decided by such a call.

She'd welcome a suspension. Her punishment should be to have to play in the rest of the season and not coast which she does the whole year except majors. The fines levied were announced a moment ago at $10,500. That's one earring for her.

Hi Bob, yes, I posted those fines earlier in the "update" section above shortly after it was announced, and you're right, it's an earring.

To the rest of you, I'm gratified by all the comments on this thread, and appreciative of them, particularly since there were several other Serena posts that came on Open Salon as they day progressed. It's been fascinating to read the discussion on all those particular threads. I will be interested to see what happens after the US Open officials review the situation.

It is not logical to suggest that line judges should ignore foot faults on important points. If that is the case, why call foot faults at all? While spectators may not want a match to be determined by a foot fault, it is still the rule and not open to interpretation. Each player determines how close to the line they stand (and how much risk they are willing to take).

Serena stands VERY close to the line when she serves. No one forces her to stand this close. She could easily stand back a couple of inches and its unlikely she would ever foot fault.

(by the way, the foot fault called on Serena was NOT on match point. She was serving at 15-30). Serena was defaulted because:
a) she smashed her racket in anger in the first set (twice)
b) she verbally abused a lines person.
This resulted in her losing a point, which happened to be match point.

To defend Serena's actions takes some real blindness. Why is it ok for a very large person to shake their tennis racket in the face of a small woman and say: "if I could, I would stick this F-ing ball down your F-ing throat"... and she did this not once but twice.

In my view, anyone ever making a statement like this at any time is either a person without any sense of decency, or a raging narcissist.

This notion of "everyone makes mistakes" and Serena happened to have hers in front of a camera also is a stretch.

Serena has been a professional appearing in major events for ten years. She has made $25 million and enjoys an incredible lifestyle. The lines person she berated makes about $50 a day and gets a free meal. This is called a person with power using it to intimidate a person who has little or no power. There is no excuse for this behavior.

It is sometimes useful to imagine a different person in a situation to judge how fairly you are perceiving the circumstances. How would you feel if 6'3" Jokivic twice said to this tiny, obviously timid woman: "if I could I would stick this F-ing ball down your F-ing throat".

I'm pretty confident the posters who defend Serena would not be defending Jokivic. And the reason is clear. As McEnroe said, you can't defend the indefensible.

My personal opinion is Serena pulled a Mike Tyson. When Tyson saw he could not beat Evander Holyfield, he bit Holyfield's ear twice. He did this because his ego could not stand being beaten. I believe Serena did the same. Clisters had dominated the match and Serena was being beaten by a woman who had been away from tennis for two years!. Serena (who wore a T-shirt saying: Dynasty has Nasty in it) simply showed her true colors.

She's an interesting woman, I've seen her give interviews on talk shows, where she's witty and self-deprecating and excessively polite.
I guess Mrs Hyde only surfaces when she's 'at the office' so to speak.

The real victim here was Kim Clijsters , who had an obvious and deserved win tarnished by this obscene outburst.

Happy to see Kim Clijsters take the title tonight, well deserved.

Oh there's a wonderful satirical piece about all this written by Kressskin:

http://open.salon.com/blog/kressskin/2009/09/13/serena_williams_you_cant_be_serious

This "nobody calls a foot fault on match point" business is getting to me. At some point - six inches? - a foot? - it would have to be called, wouldn't it? And now we are back to virginity/pregnancy - a woman is a virgin, or she isn't, and/or she is pregnant, or she isn't.

It was a foot fault, or it wasn't. I really despise the idea that somebody important gets to break the rules because - I don't know, I guess it is because of the entertainment value of her not losing the point, and the show going on

The only person who argued that "you don't call a foot fault" in a situation like this makes his living on television, where if the match goes on more commercials can be shown, and who got to be on television because he accentuated his skill at tennis by being such a world class jerk - thus disconcerting many of his opponents who learned the game under less ruthless circumstances

It took the women another ten or fifteen years to learn the game - starting with Seles and her grunting, and then the Williams sisters, and the Russians, and now a substantial minority, if not majority, game the system with timeouts to consult with the trainer, grunting/squealing like stuck pigs - it goes on and on.

One great thing about the final this afternoon was NO squealing

Good Blog Kathy. However, I may just write my own titled, "What was Serena feeling?" Try putting yourself in Serena's shoes. As an American champion tennis player having to hear louder cheers for Belgians, French, Russian, etc. from your country's fans, to be called ugly, the N-word, gorrilla on steroids and all sorts of vile words in all of your matches in every venue since you have been playing professionally. To go online and read the same vetriol on Twitter, FB, MySpace and most, if not all sports message boards. In addition, to be called for a foot fault that is rarily called in that situation. How would you be feeling at that moment? I thin that the Williams sisters, as a whole, have handled themselves magnificently but they are human. As an avid sports fan who reads these type comments said about all African American players like Tigr Woods, Venus and Serena, et al) playing in predominantly White sports. It breaks my heart every time. I'm still proud to be an American but less proud of fellow Americans that continue to hate. I'm not making excuses for Serena's very rude behavior but I do try to empathize with what she may be feeling. No one should have to play in that environment. Especially not in the USA.

Admittedly, that was not a shining moment for Miss Williams. However, it was a far cry from outbursts that we have seen from other athletes. She does not deserve to be vilified, as so many people have done, and here's why:
1) At that point in the match, a foot fault is not an acceptable call
2) It wasn't actually a foot fault - watch the replay her foot is decidedly behind the line
3) It's a far leap from Serena's statement to serious death threat - especially in that context

By the rules of tennis, she had a reason to be upset. Therefore, it makes little sense that she has become this anti-model for sportsmanship. We tolerate much worse from athletes that have little to no base for their ire. So what gives? Is it that we have a double standard for acceptable behavior in sports that allows men to be brash while women must maintain a cool demeanor? Or is it that Serena Williams and her sister are not conventional and reacting negatively towards them is easier than delving into the reasons why we want them to conform? Or is it simply racism?

And, yes the last question is relevant, not because it is an easy "card" to play. Rather, it is relevant, because there seems to be so much vitriol aimed at her for this and so little aimed at a person like Bobby Knight, John McEnroe and others known for their poor conduct. Let's face it: when we get our knickers in a knot over expletives that we hear on a daily basis, but let a drunk/high celebrity driving the wrong way on the freeway - there is something wrong. Get your priorities straight, and leave her alone.

Very interesting. I would have enjoyed an apology somewhere...
Rated

Promisin1 and PimsAndProper both expressed themselves with eloquent logic and reality.

I see the call of a "foot fault" as being called by someone who "needed' to be noticed, etc.
I played and replayed that serve many many times and, NEVER was I able to ascertain an actual violation.
I do believe that the phantom call SHOULD have been overruled by the chair.
Unfortunately, Serena's outburst prohibited the proper sequence to be followed as, it changed the focus from the WRONG CALL to her outburst.
My opinions are ALWAYS ignored here and NEVER replied to however, I will STILL give it as follows;
Had something like this occurred in a golf tournament, it would have been handled in an atmosphere of decency and WITHOUT rancor.
There are many many situations during a PGA/LPGA event which call for rulings.
An official is called over and there is a discussion.
Many times, the golfer him/herself will call attention to his/her own violation.
The majority of the time, an incident during a tennis match is handled without rancor.
THIS was NOT one of those times.
Serena's own outburst prevented a discussion of the call.
THAT was too bad.

I find her name to be somewhat comical and anathema to her cunduct in this instance as, she was anything but serene.
I feel for Kim Clijsters as, she is so proffesional and a decent person.
The interviewer didn't do much if anything to alleviate her discomfrt after the event either.
The final ended as I expected it to end however, I would have enjoyed Caroline giving her a harder time of it.
Two decent people though.
Well, I've wasted YOUR space and time her butt, it was enjoyable being the only one who will read what I had to say.

I'm going fishing to day and golfing tomorrow.
There will be NO outbursts other than at myself for a bad shot.

there are many such articles,but couldn't get through re: volume of comments,so I'll add those people who write in..."Exactly Right" wrote[Bridget Moore asked why Fernandez didn't "stand-by" Serena?Perhaps Serena has brought new meaning to the expression.."sore-looser",Celeb's should be so passionate for when it's not "their" ego that's rubbed wrong..should give that very same "passions[s] to humankind,like animal abuse!Serena is rich,her entitlement allowed her to indulge herself! Didn't she get a cell call before this?Who cares,unless someone died,she should have stayed "proffessional,this "Forgiveness" thing is like a "plague" from "Vick" to Wilson to--That "burden" we are suddenly asked to five is not what God asked us to do when we see an injustice! to just forget "Vick's"We cannot forgive an "ongoing" evil,a word never used by media.."Morally Challebged" spiritually defunct millionaires who never use their voice,as they are cowards when it comes to what's important,for other issues,besides themselves..Dr.Phil surrounded by a crown in NYC..re: "Vick" one fat blonde girl said "I love "Vick",these malignant,"the collective"[Ayn Rand"} put it when she explained the evils all in one place!Vick must have told his drooling Fed-Mates his story w/ the zealousness w/ which he killed them, all because they didn't want to fight?The ones that did didn't know why they were,bec- after police arrived..they weren't viscious anymore..they were in a dream state,made angry by evil men,then fought back at what they didn't understand..there was more evil within them than those dogs!They never mentioned "DogTown!!} That was the first place,not "Best Friends" although I bless them too..So as far as Serena's spoiled brat charachter,this Idoltry is an addiction,as is the sprtsworld,& the men supporting Vick! Murder?what else do you call it,since he was 8yrs old...Race,feminism?bull,she made it big being black,big,boned,& good at tennis..so where is this 'coach was against her thing?' He knew what she was about,it wasn't as if he/she [didn't read] just came in contact w/ her!!She was an obvious "entitled"financially smug looser who over did her wining ego,thinking she was so great,anything would stick..fans saying "Unfair" bec- they "wanted" her to be right,rather not because she was so penalized for nothing?? If a poor man tried to expose an injustice,he's be ignored..but the celeb's know when to be passionate,using "their" voices,but not enough for what matters,making nothing better!She wasn't thinking of her "fan's" afterall it is "them" who add to her bank acc't..if she waiting tables,& had no option to say "I Quit" having a child to support,she'd not indulge her dangerous character,,just like,conterparts..Brown,Chris,Vick..West,how could "sorry" erase what they meant? My point went astray w/ animals but it's because when someone said [comment] "like an animal",that's got to stop,nothing violent should be related to the same act! She obviously is one of those who when the right circumstance presents itself..you see exactly what they're really about..Serena was not so "senene",& bet she has no humility...to say she's sorry for speaking that way..Why should Fernandez have defended her? When will these..But she was upset,she didn't mean to's..she "must have had something on her mind? Defending?A gift,from God?& she steps all over it like many do..forget this racial thing going around,Carter is an ass!Blacks have proved as rich & nasty as the white man!Fame has come to them,& still they "abuse" this power..addiction to sports,same as drugs..Mentality check..I could care less about Serena's monsterous conceit!

Oh..jentilpet again..Catherine j fusco..re: the last sentence..I was right..this girl is devoid of any humility,but she;ll have her defenders,the immoral,kisser-up-to's, Unaccepting mentality,actually believing Serena was justified,,she didn't plan on leaving that way?the writer said this..well,now isn't just her own fault,she's famous,unappreciative,indulgence,then to say,as writer quoted..Katherine Hepburn,re" :having no regrets" is way Out of context for Kate's rergrets aren't/weren't as destructive as Serena's..she doesn't care,so don't waste your deep love for her,she'll not care,do you think these celeb's thank God each night for what they've been given? One million dollars would help my animal shelter,& my mom & me..we're not poor,but to have & enjoy the last 20 yrs,perhaps..Mom worked hard for "her" money,never saying "I Quit" was an option[said before]..It came too fast..to a girl who never had to suffer,that is why she hasn't respect for this gift God gave her so don't sy..."she didn't plan to leave like that" she didn't "plan" NOT to be a sore looser because she wouldn't accept "loosing!!!" She knew she was wrong! In Sicilian we have a sying for people like her[who got Fame,through a gift of God} Peguew-den-gabu..be feese'..Taking advantage of what one "believes belongs to them as truth when they "know" they have lost"[anything} ,that is] be it, an argument,etc{looses in translation thing] still it's an old meaningfull saying,came from experienced,Italian understanding of a characters unflinching,wrong,AND knowing it...