Serena Williams issues tirade apology

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. tennis player Serena Williams issued a second statement and an apology Monday about an on-court tirade at the U.S. Open.

Williams, who on Saturday exploded into a threatening, profanity-laced tirade at Arthur Ashe Stadium when she was called for a foot fault, acknowledged responsibility for the incident the next day but failed to issue an apology. On Monday, however, she made what she called an "amendment" to her Sunday statement, which included a specific apology, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"I want to amend my press statement of yesterday," Williams wrote, "and want to make it clear as possible -- I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lineswoman, (singles opponent) Kim Clijsters, the (U.S. Tennis Association) and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst. I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity and I admit when I'm wrong."

Williams and her sister, Venus Williams, then went on to defeat top-seeded Cara Black and Liezel Huber for the U.S. Open women's doubles championship.

The Times said the sparse crowd at the match booed loudly when ESPN2 analyst and Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe asked Serena Williams after the match about her new statement and apology.