Serena Williams fined $82K for outburst, put on two year probation

[Auggie]

Associated Press, November 30, 2009

Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 for her U.S. Open tirade and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another "major offense" at any Grand Slam in the next two years.

Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock's ruling was released Monday, and he said Williams faces a "probationary period" at tennis' four major championships in 2010 and 2011. If she has another "major offense" at a Grand Slam tournament in that time, the fine would increase to $175,000 and she would be barred from the following U.S. Open.

"But if she does not have another offense in the next two years, the suspension is lifted," Babcock said in a telephone interview from London. He said Williams is handing over $82,500 right now, already nearly double the previous highest fine for a Grand Slam offense -- about $48,000 Jeff Tarango was docked in the 1990s.

Williams lashed out at a lineswoman after a foot-fault call at the end of her semifinal loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open in September.

MORE: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4699850

[joeybee12]

1. Info on Jeff Tarango below...

The most famous incident Tarango was involved in came at Wimbledon in 1995. During a third round match in which he was trailing against Alexander Mronz, Tarango became infuriated and refused to continue when umpire Bruno Rebeuh, after having ruled against him several times before. During the match, when preparing to serve, the crowd heckled Tarango and he responded "Shut-up". Rebeuh immediately gave a code violation to Tarango for this claiming "Shut up" was an audible obscenity. Tarango protested this and called for the tournament refree calling for Rebeuh to be removed. No relief was given to Tarango and he was instructed to continue to play. He then accused Rebeuh of being "One of the most corrupt officials in the game" - to this Rebeuh gave Tarango another code violation - this time for unsportsmanlike conduct. This was the final straw for Tarango, he packed up his rackets and stormed off the court. To add to the controversy, Tarango's French wife Benedicte walked up to Rebeuh and slapped him twice in the face.

_______________________

Well, 14 years later, accounting for inflation, it's not really double the amount.

I wonder if Benedicte was cuffed and jailed...should have been.

[Auggie]

2. Funny story

The French face slap -- great cliche

[joeybee12]

3. And after slapping him, she said...

"I fart in your general direction!"

[Auggie]

4. LOL

[Captain Hilts]

5. Williams threatened to physically harm the umpire- she crossed a line. nt