Rudeness Not Tolerated: Serena Williams Fined and on Probation for Outburst

According to the Associated Press, tennis megastar Serena Williams has been fined a record-breaking $82,500 and been put on two years probation for making threats against a line judge during the U.S. Open in September. She was initially fined $10,000 by the United States Tennis Association, the maximum amount a player can receive. Although Williams could be suspended from the Grand Slam Tournament if she has another outbreak during her probationary period (in addition to facing up to a $175,000 fine), is that enough? In other words, does her punishment fit her "crime?"

The sport of tennis is fundamentally like every other great American pastime- about sportsmanship. Many of the young fans at home who watched Williams on that fateful day tuned in to the Grand Slam Tournament because of Williams. Both children and adults as well consider her to be a role model. While I am one of those people who believe that celebrities should be regarded as everyday people and children should look to their parents as heroes, the fact that Williams behaved as she did in front of a crowd of families on international television is unacceptable.

Everyone has a bad day...but Williams' behavior during the tournament was the epitome of unsportsmanship. She broke her racket. She went on a profanity-laced tirade over the injustice of a technical foul. Not only did she disrespect herself; she disrespected her fans, her opponent, and the sport of tennis. As an eleven time Grand Slam Champion, she does know better.

The day following her outburst, Williams through a public relations firm, commented, "Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don't agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly." Perhaps I am old fashioned, but the spirit of competition does not justify one threatening to shove a tennis ball down another individual's throat. I appreciate Williams for her landmark career in tennis while I hope that raging rants will not become another aspect of it.

Considering the fact that Williams grossed $350,000 in prize money for that tournament alone, she can more than afford any subsequent fines. But the damage to her reputation is incalculable.

Sources

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577815,00.html