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SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES
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Tennis player Serena Williams has
been fined more than $82,000 for her U.S. Open outburst
against a lineswoman. If she has another major outburst
in the next two years, Williams may be barred from the
Grand Slam event.
SacObserver.com File Photo |
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(NNPA) - Tennis
champion Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 for her
U.S. Open outburst against a lineswoman and could be suspended
from the annual New York event if she has another "major
offense" at any Grand Slam in the next two years.
The ruling from Grand Slam administrator
Bill Babcock 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 told the Associated Press.
He said Williams must pay $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 cursed out 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.
The outburst drew a $10,000 fine from the U.S. Tennis Association
in September — the maximum onsite penalty a tennis player
can face. But because it happened at a Grand Slam tournament,
Babcock was charged with investigating whether further punishment
was merited.
He concluded that Williams violated
the "major offense" rule for "aggravated behavior."
The Grand Slam committee — with one representative from
each of the sport's four major championships — approved
his decision.
This story comes special to NNPA from the Houston Forward Times.
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