People who (suddenly) think Serena Williams is being held to a higher standard than other people -- namely cranky Andy Roddick -- are completely missing the point. Be condescending (Roddick), be bratty (John McEnroe) -- neither's nice, but people get worked up in sports -- but the minute you start being threatening ("I'm going to shove this ball down your fucking throat"), veiled or otherwise, you've gone too far.
Said Serena Williams to the umpire of the US Open final, who made the correct call: "If you ever see me walking down the hall, walk the other way. Because you're out of control. Totally out of control. You're a hater, you're unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing. And I never complain. Wow."
"Are you the one who screwed me over last time? Yeah, you are."
No -- Wow, YOU, Serena. She actually wasn't the same umpire but, you know, all those people look alike. And did you really just say that about running into each other in the hallway????
Very disappointing that Serena, arguably the greatest person to ever play the game, has devolved into this temperamental egomaniac who thinks the rules do not apply to her and that she can act anyway she wants. (She broke A RULE by screaming before her opponent hit the ball -- this is not some minor breach of etiquette.) That's not what she was known for the first 13 years of her career -- a ruthless competitor was her rap -- and let's hope it's not how she plans to play out what's left of it. It seems as her ability to win at will fades, her unsportsmanlike behavior comes into focus. She was gracious (to Samantha Stosur) in defeat, but everyone knows it's how you handle yourself under duress that reveals your true character. And Serena is increasingly becoming a character I think very little of, just like Justine Henin, who I turned on years ago for unsportsmanlike behavior against ... Serena.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Straight Outta Saginaw
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10 comments:
Roid rage?
I totally agree! I love how this just seems to keep happening when she's getting seriously spanked by her opponent!
Stousr was awesome!
Well said. Serena's behavior was completely disappointing. She's still one of my favorite female players, mostly because she's not a double-faulting head case. But this crossed the line AGAIN. Not cool.
I actually think you're being too kind to Serena. Her behaviour was an embarrassment to the sport itself and really showed who was "unattractive inside."
The words self-absorbed spoiled brat come to mind but that's just my first crack at it. She clearly has learned absolutely nothing from previous experiences. Can you seriously think of ANY other player who would behave that way, save Andy Roddick? (both American) She should be fined and suspended.
Not to excuse childish and abusive behavior, but do you think the fact that they only fined her $2,000 means that there might be some truth to her complaints about the officiating?
@Dennis: To be honest, I think it just means she's a marquee name and they can't afford to have her miss any more tennis after being gone a year already.
I don't think she was referring to the 2009 USO "incident" versus Clijsters when she asked if the umpire was the same as last time. I think it was this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YmblrB_Ftc&feature=youtu.be
In which case, it's clear that this is indeed the same umpire. The WTA mandates that umpires call a let if there's a "verbal hindrance." But, in Grand Slam play, the umpire is supposed to give a point penalty, which, in fairness, did not seem like something with which Serena was familiar. I'm not excusing her outburst or language AT ALL, but I do think everyone else also overreacted because most people aren't familiar with all of the details...
Mmmmmmm. This is what I don't understand about athletes. Has there ever been a time when moaning about a call worked? Umps/refs blow calls all the time, but it's part of the game. The great ones don't let (perceived) lousy calls get in the way.
@Brent: You're kidding, right? How would what happened in Doha count as the woman who "screwed" her over last time? Everyone laughed about it and Serena didn't seem the least bit upset. She's referring to the foot-fault incident.
She really needs to watch (and learn) from Roger Federer - cool, calm and focussed. And a gentleman to boot!!
Her behaviour is very tacky!! Money does not buy class or good manners.
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