NEW YORK — Serena Williams’ profanity-laced, finger- pointing tirade at a U.S. Open lineswoman drew a $10,000 fine Sunday, and more punishment could follow from a broader investigation into what the head of the tournament called her “threatening manner.”
The fine — not quite 3 percent of the $350,000 in prize money Williams earned by reaching the semifinals — is the maximum on-site penalty that can be issued for unsportsmanlike conduct at a Grand Slam tournament.
“The average individual would look at that and say, ‘A $10,000 fine for what she did? What are you guys, crazy?’ The answer is: The process isn’t over,” tournament director Jim Curley said.
Bill Babcock, the top administrator for Grand Slam tournaments, will review what happened Saturday, when Williams yelled at a lineswoman who called a foot fault with the defending champion two points away from losing to Kim Clijsters in the semifinals. If Babcock determines Williams committed a “major offense,” she could be fined all of her prize money from the tournament.
Williams also was docked $500 for smashing her racket after the first set of the match. Because she was issued a warning then, her later actions resulted in the loss of a point.
The foot fault resulted in a double-fault, which moved Clijsters one point from victory. Williams then was penalized a point for her outburst; because it happened to come on match point, it ended the semifinal with Clijsters winning 6-4, 7-5.
