Serena wishes she could give line judge a hug
Williams sorry for ‘inappropriate outburst’ at U.S. Open
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NEW YORK - After two days to think about it, Serena Williams wishes she could give the line judge she yelled at “a big ol’ hug.”
Williams teamed with sister Venus on Monday to win the U.S. Open doubles title with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Cara Black and Liezel Huber. At the post-match news conference, she discussed her outburst Saturday.
After being called for a foot fault toward the end of her match against Kim Clijsters, she directed a profanity-laced tirade at the line judge that led to a point penalty that ended the match.
Williams was fined $10,000 on Sunday and issued a written apology Monday, a day after coming out with a different, less-contrite statement.
In the news conference, she said the line judge was only doing her job.
Asked what she’d do if she saw the line judge again, Williams replied: “I’d like to give her a big ol’ hug and put it all behind us like I have. Move on from it like I have and just learn.”
Before that, Williams was interviewed on the court by Patrick McEnroe, who asked if there was anything she wanted to say to the crowd of a few thousand at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I think I said it all,” Williams replied. “I love my fans. Most of all, I’m really excited to be here and play another match with Venus and, thank you, Venus, for allowing us to win today.”
McEnroe tried again, asking Serena what “clicked in your head” to compel her to come out with her apology Monday. But before he could get the whole question out, the fans started booing and her big sister interrupted.
“I think what the crowd is saying is, ‘Patrick, let’s move on,”’ Venus said. Williams was short on contrition in the postmatch news conference after her profanity-laced, finger-pointing tirade at a lineswoman Saturday night — and again in a prepared statement Sunday.
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It was released by the U.S. Tennis Association about a half-hour before Williams and her sister, Venus, played in the women’s doubles final, which they won for their 10th Grand Slam title as a team. Given a chance to publicly deliver an apology during the postmatch ceremony, Williams declined.
“I’m a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I’m wrong,” her written statement said. “I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it’s not the way to act — win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner. I like to lead by example. We all learn from experiences both good and bad, I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result.”
Williams lost her temper after the lineswoman called a foot fault, resulting in a double-fault. That 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 ahead 6-4, 7-5. Clijsters went on to win the championship Sunday.
In an interview, U.S. Open tournament director Jim Curley also said the tournament considered — and decided against — preventing Williams from participating in the doubles final.
During the trophy ceremony afterward, Williams drew applause when she said: “I’d like to thank the fans for supporting me through everything. I really, really love you guys and never want to have a bad image for you guys.”
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