The Tennis Thug (Updated)

Serena Williams' behavior on Saturday night at the U.S. Open was so appalling, so disgraceful on so many levels it's hard to know where to start.

Certainly, it was unusual to see a female professional athlete conduct herself in such a manner, something we've just not seen even with the explosion of women's sports. We now know a woman can be just as much of a jerk or a thug as any man while playing a sport. Congratulations.

What bothered me the most? It was the attitude, the sneering of the multi-millionaire Williams who rained insults down upon the official as though to say, "I'm Serena Williams. You are nothing. You have no right to make a call that interferes with my wonderfulness. You are dirt. You don't deserve to live, but because all these people are around, I will spare your worthless life."

For someone who has on occasion claimed racial prejudice when she has been offended by treatment in tournaments, it was indeed bizarre to see Williams screaming profanities at the small, Asian female judge while brandishing her racquet in a threatening manner.

Full marks to the lineswoman for standing up to Williams, and full marks to tournament officials for backing their official and imposing the code violation that ended Williams' tournament. Some are suggesting the foot fault that ignited the entire controversy shouldn't have been called, at least not at that point in the match. And if a serve was slightly out? Don't call that rule because the match is too close? Tennis pros will tell you foot-faulting doesn't really provide much of an advantage, if any, to the server, but if you have an person there to make the call and they make the call, suggesting they should hold their tongue depending on the score is absurd.

Williams has already been fined $10,500 in total for her ridiculous performance, and it's theoretically possible she could lose her entire $350,000 purse if tennis decides this was a major violation.This one's up to the Grand Slam committee and the USTA, but it's a tricky problem that also lands in the lap of Stacey Allaster, a Canadian who is now at the helm of the women's tour. The already trashy Serena has now veered into Britney Spears territory, and women's tennis understands image is a very big deal in that industry.

Some have talked of suspension for Williams, but really, being eliminated from a Grand Slam semi-final is a pretty big penalty already. It's not like the next Grand Slam event is next week. It's in January in Australia.

A simple heartfelt apology would make the difference, not the contrived public relations doubletalk produced in an official statement yesterday. The apology should be made publicly and in person to the official in question

(Ed. Note: Well, despite some who believe Williams had nothing to apologize for, she has now done so, albeit 36 hours after the fact. It took her a botched press conference and one lame press statement before she got it right, but she has now "sincerely apologized" for her "inappropriate outburst", offering that apology to the lineswoman, her opponent Kim Clijsters, the USTA and tennis fans. Glad to see she finally figured it out.")

Comments

[James]

I don't know why so many reporters are claiming that foot faults are rarely called. I have followed tennis closely since I was a child and I've seen foot faults called plenty of times. The reason they are not called so often is because it's a stupid fault, most tennis players give themselves a couple of inches space as to not lose a serve because they stepped on the line. Serena saw that the game was bleek and became sloppy, she looked in front of her on the court and saw her worst nightmare making a coming back and beating her. We all know how the Williams sisters dissappeared on the tour when the belgian bombers were around. They're problably praying that Henin doesn't make a come back as well.

[Andre]

Why do you have to call her "The Tennis Thug" ? really. She was under alot of pressure, and in the heat of the moment a judge was the final verdict for an important match for her. She let emotion take her. Thats life. But isn't a THUG. I guess thats what HAPPENS when a BLACK person melts down, they are labeled a thug. I don't support what she did, but to demonize her like that? wow.

[D.B]

Well said Mr Cox. I'm glad you didn't make the comparison with the epic confrontations of McEnroe as many commentators have done... they are two different entities entirely. McEnroe never threatened physical violence; he was also (usually) apologetic after the fact. He also focused his rage on the technical call, not on the person making the call. Serena's behaviour seems to match nicely with Kayne West's attitude at the MTV movie awards, the curse of the black urban 'thug' attitude. Intensity is a necessity in sports at high levels of performance, but Tiger Woods would never behave this way. Michael Jordan had his temper, but never would behave so much like a lout. Such a pity that the sport that gave us Arthur Ashe has now been degraded by the behaviour of Serena Williams.

[edgardo moreno]

Damien,
you are frothing! take a look at yourself.

[Tim]

She had a meltdown. Don't worry. Nobody got killed.

[Doug]

Bravo, Damien! I agree with your thoughts on this situation. It was brutal to see Serena's reaction to someone doing their job. I was very impressed with the officials in their support of one another. I worry about all of the young kids watching Serena's behaviour and think it is now acceptable to act as such. It is too bad we seem to have fewer good role models in sports.

[doug]

it is irrelevant if the foot call was justified or not, as in all games, sports there are questionable calls....and althuogh you can act, respond, question in frustration you cannot threaten or become as demonstrative as Serena did...what I found extremely uplifting was how the officials stuck by the lines women, they never tried to diminish her or her call.....the respect the USTA officials showed was impressive and how quickly they acted without any doubt in penalizing Serena was unheard of in this day and age in profesional sport...officials that made not only the right call but a quick and decisive one...

[Andy]

It actually looks like she thinks about it, then goes back to get disqualified. Maybe she knew she wasn't going to win the match.

I think this article might be a little to heavy handed though. Her actions were wrong, but mild in the global sports sphere. I think she might be treated differently, not because she's black, but because she's a woman. If a man did the same thing, the uproar wouldn't be nearly as high.

[Collin Sam]

Tennis Thug ? are you serious Damien Cox... She has alot of passion for her sport. Her actions were terrible that night at hand but Tennis thug... You should change the title of this column. Please and thank you

[J Thomas]

Who would be upset about a foot fault call that was not. After looking at the you tube video I think the media has overblown this "story", as she professionally shakes Cliisters hand and walk off. I remembered John Mcenroes numerous foot faults in wimbledon and his actions were far worst than Serena's

[J]

"For someone who has on occasion claimed racial prejudice when she has been offended by treatment in tournaments, it was indeed bizarre to see Williams screaming profanities at the small, Asian female judge while brandishing her racquet in a threatening manner."

Exactly what are you trying to point out here? She should've held her unhappiness with the call because the line judge wasn't white? I would think that treating people differently based on race would be questionable whether that modified treatment was negative OR positive.

Yeah, she was out of line and has an inflated sense of entitlement, two qualities I personally don't find enviable either.

Leave the race stuff out of it though, it's really distasteful and irrelevant.

Unless you want to talk about its role in people's reaction to this incident.

[Michael Skerritt]

Damon I understand your outrage but please from a hockey standpoint I seen and heard worst from players mouths. I really don't get this double standard from the hockey sports writers and commentators who agree that the rules in other sports at crucial times should be enforced but then say referees in hockey should put the whistle away late in games and not enforce the rules. If the Leafs were fighting for a playoff spot and a niggly call was made that cost them the playoffs how loud and vulgar would the Leafs coaching staff and Brian Burke be?

[Russ]

Damien, so well written. Agree with your perspective completely.

[Temi Kolarinwa]

What kind of double standard are you on about Mr Cox. Why is it okay for Roddick and McEnroe to vent on court and not Serena. The manner in which she conducted herself isn't any different from those guys. Misogyny at its finest. Take this down

[Andrew]

Damionn Cox,
There is not an article you write where I don't think you are a complete idiot. You only ever write about the worst in any incident and you consitantly insist on framing one side of the arguement. I am not even going to get into the passion of athletes which draws audiences or actracts fans to sports. Case in point, John Macenroe: One of the greatest tennis players to play the game.

I think what drives athletes crazy is inconsistency. How can you not call foot faulting all season and in one of the most important matches of a major go over the top with calls. I gaurentte not one fan wanted to see the match end the way it did. I also give big kudus to Serena for her sportsmenship toward Kim Clisters, argueable the only person that really mattered. Once she was Disqualified, she walked right over to her, shook her hand, explained it wasn't her fault, wished her good luck in the finals etc.... But that doesn't matter in your tirade, Serena is an animal or a "thug" in your words who completely disgraced the game. You disgrace sports media!

[Rossvegas]

Really, Damien? Would you prefer to be reporting on some mousy Slavik princess or the (truly) rags to riches Williams sisters? Serena and her sister make watching women's tennis worthwhile, and whether you like her or not, the sport needs her more than she needs them right now. The USTA should hope (and pray) that she doesn't decide to boycott the US Open (or other majors) in the future over such horrible officiating. The $350,000 isn't going to hurt Serena one bit, but her absence will seriously damage the marketability of the event and affect the hacks who make their living covering the sport. Think about it...

[Colin W]

>>>What bothered me the most? It was the attitude, the sneering of the multi-millionaire Williams who rained insults down upon the official as though to say, "I'm Serena Williams. You are nothing. You have no right to make a call that interferes with my wonderfulness. You are dirt. You don't deserve to live, but because all these people are around, I will spare your worthless life."<<<

While there is no excuse for Serena's behavior, Damien is putting words in her mouth with the above spin. There is nothing worse than self-righteous indignation, be it from a sports writer or a professional tennis player, and the notion that calling the foot fault was something par for the course is as much a fallacy as is the second base phantom tag in baseball; it is a subjective call by the game official. As the commentators commented, calling a foot fault is RARE - no fault of the players. IMO, if it wasn't being called all tournament, calling it at that time in the game was ill advised. This will blow over and women's tennis will be fine, the very same way Johnny McEnroe's tirades back in the day had no lasting effects on either the player or the game. But for sport-writers and media networks who delight in bringing up stuff like that, beyond the moment, the average fan really couldn't care.

[Ryan MC]

It's obvious you've never played played competitive sports. I bet this type of profanity is okay on the ice rink though eh? I've heard worse at leaf games.

Why mention she's a multi-millionaire? Someone who works their ass off to be where they are deserves every penny they make. Do you deserve every penny you make at your job?

I find writing like this just reeks of jealousy. She's had 1 hiccup in her career and your so quick to pounce.

Why even mention the race card or that the lineswoman was asian??? Who cares, she would have done the same thing if she was another race.

Although you try to mask your true intent and biases with this article, we can all see right through it...

[edirejc]

Cox, you obviously lack to recognize what sports are all about and the tone of your article does nothing to hide your personal dislike for Serena. Stick to writing about NHL where the most exciting thing that happens is a legal battle over a bankrupt team. Leave passion of sports to people that enjoy sports and don't try to impose your old school views on the readers as you're simply a sensationalist.

[Dave R]

I don't understand. Andy Roddick blows up at officials all the time. John McEnroe's hall of fame career was known for his outbursts as much as it was known for winning majors. What Serena did was in poor judgement, but, don't be shocked like she was the first person ever in tennis to do so. She was fined for her outburst, and let's move on. Is she not allowed to have an outburst just because she's a woman? If you look at the circumstances of her being frustrated with her poor play, it being a crucial situation, and the foot-fault call not being conclusive, anyone can under those circumstances, have a moment of weakness and just get angry. It happens.
Mr. Cox, please do not act like your feces doesn't stink.
She's a human. She made a mistake. She was fined. Let's move on.
Many tennis players have done this in the past, more of them will do this in the future.

[bob ahkion]

Cheers Damien, well written &said.
Serena should be suspended until a public apology be made to the line official and to the watching tv public.

[other mark]

I'm with you Damien. Disgusting. And I hope I don't have to read comments from 'fans' who feel cheated because 'they didn't pay to watch the officials'. It's time some of these spoiled rotten millionaire babies learned some manners and some humility. Nobody wants to see a sporting event ended by an officials call, but Serena clearly stepped way over the line and she deserved what she got.

[Thom Thebbut]

What was most galling, aside from the incredible arrogance and absurdity of her attack on the poor linesperson, was the disgusting non-chalance Serena showed in the post match press conference, as if "I used to be a lot worse" was some consolation.

Graceless, classless, and clueless.

[Mike]

I don't know Damien...

Yea, she did say something probably wrong in the heat, but I've seen a LOT worse in men's tennis (Johnny Mac anyone?).

It just doesn't seem that bad to me. She said something out of frustration... after getting her ass handed to her by Kimmy, and lost a point.

It isn't like she swore and cursed that lady out for 15 minutes.

Serena was going to lose anyway...

[Jay Oiseaux]

i hope you were writing all of these pieces about how appalled you were when this was john mcenroe or any other number of tennis stars who have done this. and what's with the non-sequitur about racism? serena was upset at the call, not that the judge was asian. until now, i don't think anyone cared where the judge was from. misdirection at its finest.