Serena Williams shows her true colors

[MrMacphisto]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=macgregor_jeff&id=4469988

So, basically, Serena Williams throws a temper tantrum at an official and consequently loses her match to Kim Clijsters. Kim then wins the U.S. Open against Caroline Wozniacki.

What a way to go out. Williams currently makes more money than any other female tennis player and is consistently at the top of the rankings, and this is how she behaves towards a questionable call?

Talk about unprofessional....

What do you think drives someone of this talent to such a stupid action?

 

[harvey]

Serena's meltdown

OK, I agree that her behavior was unprofessional, but then "Professionalism" is such an overrated aspect of today's sports. Most top competitors in any sport are very intense people, and it should come as no surprise that she was highly pissed by that unnecessary call. As John McEnroe said, it was 'over-officiating'.

One has to wonder about the motivation of the line judge making this unnecessary call. Players foot-fault all the time when serving, and it's a real rarity when it's called. It's sort of like calling 'holding' in football - the refs could call it on virtually every play if they chose, but they don't, because if they did, every football team playing would go 'three & out' with each possession. So they only call 'holding' when it is very obvious and very flagrant. Such is life in the judgmental world of sports officials.

In this case with Serena, it will be interesting to see/hear what a deeper investigation uncovers. The line judge appears to be of Asian origin. Could this have racial undertones? Did someone bribe the line judge(s) to make such a crucial call? We may never know all the facts here.

I know it won't happen, but I'd like to see Serena just tell the entire tennis community to "Go to Hell" and walk away from the game for good. She has more than enough money, and after this 'meltdown' every official in tennis will be laying for her anyway. It's a sad state of affairs any way you slice it.

 

[Liu Kang]

I never liked the Williams Sisters. Their style is boring to watch and they often act like divas.

 

[MrMacphisto]

OK, I agree that her behavior was unprofessional, but then "Professionalism" is such an overrated aspect of today's sports. Most top competitors in any sport are very intense people, and it should come as no surprise that she was highly pissed by that unnecessary call. As John McEnroe said, it was 'over-officiating'.

One has to wonder about the motivation of the line judge making this unnecessary call. Players foot-fault all the time when serving, and it's a real rarity when it's called. It's sort of like calling 'holding' in football - the refs could call it on virtually every play if they chose, but they don't, because if they did, every football team playing would go 'three & out' with each possession. So they only call 'holding' when it is very obvious and very flagrant. Such is life in the judgmental world of sports officials.

In this case with Serena, it will be interesting to see/hear what a deeper investigation uncovers. The line judge appears to be of Asian origin. Could this have racial undertones? Did someone bribe the line judge(s) to make such a crucial call? We may never know all the facts here.

I know it won't happen, but I'd like to see Serena just tell the entire tennis community to "Go to Hell" and walk away from the game for good. She has more than enough money, and after this 'meltdown' every official in tennis will be laying for her anyway. It's a sad state of affairs any way you slice it.

I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

After seeing Federer create his own mini-meltdown over a different call, I suppose he might agree with your sentiments as well.

Personally, I think professionalism is sorely lacking in most pro sports, and I prefer it to be something pushed harder for, whether it's tennis, football, or whatever.

If you're being paid millions to do something most people would love to do for free, at least be respectable about it. Otherwise, you just look like a jackass.

 

[McNoodle]

Nopt sure about the more than enough money aspect. She has a self admitted addiction to e-bay. 😛 In all seriousness though, she certainly exhibited a serious lack of self control in this match. I don't foresee it happening again however.

 

[Coup de Grace]

All great players complain about bad calls. Jordan did it. Magic did it. Bird did it. McEnroe did it a helluva lot. Jerry Rice did it. Kobe does it. While not condoning Serena's meltdown, it's pretty much a part of today's sports. Because athletes bring in a huge amount of revenue in the form of ratings and sponsorship, they're allowed a certain amount of leeway. Again, not saying it's right but that's the way it is.

 

[MrMacphisto]

All great players complain about bad calls. Jordan did it. Magic did it. Bird did it. McEnroe did it a helluva lot. Jerry Rice did it. Kobe does it. While not condoning Serena's meltdown, it's pretty much a part of today's sports. Because athletes bring in a huge amount of revenue in the form of ratings and sponsorship, they're allowed a certain amount of leeway. Again, not saying it's right but that's the way it is.

I don't recall Jordan making death threats at a ref.

 

[steph]

Awwwwwwwww, I think maybe this is maybe a tad bit unfair Mr. Mac (and for the record, I like you a lot~I always enjoy your posts)

Serena is paid much lower than any major male athletic icon. Some of them kill dogs with their bare hands, commit rape, even murder and are forgiven for their awful sins. She had a bad day (haven't you ever?) and threatened a moronic judge (who seriously was never in any physical danger from Serena~give me a break, she was raised better than that) for a moronic call. (I've studied the tapes) She apologized and did it in a way with class.
Oh and BTW, there were no threats on anyone's life that I viewed. Violence, yes but so what, she was just pissed and lashing out.
XOXO

 

[MrMacphisto]

Awwwwwwwww, I think maybe this is maybe a tad bit unfair Mr. Mac (and for the record, I like you a lot~I always enjoy your posts)

Serena is paid much lower than any major male athletic icon. Some of them kill dogs with their bare hands, commit rape, even murder and are forgiven for their awful sins. She had a bad day (haven't you ever?) and threatened a moronic judge (who seriously was never in any physical danger from Serena~give me a break, she was raised better than that) for a moronic call. (I've studied the tapes) She apologized and did it in a way with class.
Oh and BTW, there were no threats on anyone's life that I viewed. Violence, yes but so what, she was just pissed and lashing out.
XOXO

lol... I liked the Vick and Stallworth references.... You make a good point.

(By the way, I like you too... who doesn't? 😉 )

 

[steph]

Man!
And here I come, tiny fists clenched and ready for a good fight~you little stinker!
XOXO

lol... I liked the Vick and Stallworth references.... You make a good point.

(By the way, I like you too... who doesn't? 😉 )