The U.S. Open Women's Singles Final was disappointing for a number of reasons yesterday. It was not nearly as close as it should have been. Even worse, it was not nearly as classy as it should have been either. Serena Williams lost easily in straight sets to Open Champ Samantha Stosur, but she also lost her cool in the process.
In the second set, Chair Umpire Eva Asderaki docked a point for Williams after being called out for yelling during a rally point. Williams promptly approached the chair saying, "Aren't you the one who screwed me over last time here? Do you have it out for me? That's totally not cool."
Her tirade went on and got even worse, and afterwards, Williams said she didn't even remember what she said, commenting that she will "see it on Youtube." Not only was her initial response lame but her lack of apology or accountability was even worse. The reality is that her words about the judge being "totally not cool" is exactly what she needs to heed.
What should have been a calm, cool, collected event turned into a circus that removes the rightful spotlight from Stosur's first ever Grand Slam championship and instead places it on a No. 28 seed crybaby who can't simply lose a game the right way.
Williams should be ashamed and any PR personnel around her should correct this first thing this morning with a contrite statement, even if she's reading someone else's words. Shosur deserves the spotlight she worked so hard for, and the tantrum being thrown on the other side of the court is a disgrace to a Grand Slam tennis final.
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U.S. Open 2011: The Disgraceful Serena Williams Should Heed Her Own Words
Shosur deserves the spotlight she worked so hard for, and the tantrum being thrown on the other side of the court is a disgrace to a Grand Slam tennis final.
By
Matt Conner