Advertisement

Williams fined for U.S. Open finals tirade

Serena Williams reacts when chair umpire Eva Asderakia takes away a point that costs Serena a break in the second set in her match against Samantha Stosur of Australia in the Women's Final in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 11, 2011. UPI/John Angelillo
Serena Williams reacts when chair umpire Eva Asderakia takes away a point that costs Serena a break in the second set in her match against Samantha Stosur of Australia in the Women's Final in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 11, 2011. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Serena Williams was fined $2,000 for her outburst at chair umpire Eva Asderaki during Sunday's women's singles final of the U.S. Open.

U.S. Open tournament referee Brian Earley handed down the fine Monday. The $2,000 figure is in line with previous similar incidents.

Advertisement

Williams, down a set, was facing a break point when she hit a forehand and yelled "Come on!" However, Asderaki ruled the yell occurred before Williams' opponent, Samantha Stosur, had a chance to make a return and called Williams for a code violation for verbal abuse.

That gave the point -- and a service break -- to Stosur, who went on to a 6-2, 6-3 victory and her first Grand Slam title.

Williams argued with Asderaki, which led to Monday's fine.

The scene was reminiscent of the 2009 U.S. Open semifinals when Williams was called for a foot fault and unleashed a tirade against the line judge. Williams had been warned previously in the match and so lost a point, which came on match point for Kim Clijsters and ended the match.

Williams was fined $10,000 for that incident but two months later the Grand Slam Committee increased the fine to $175,000 with the stipulation it would be cut in half if she committed no "major offenses" in two years.

Advertisement

Tennis officials said Sunday's outburst didn't qualify as a "major offense."

Latest Headlines