Grand Slam Committee fines Serena Williams, threatens ban of U.S. Open
By Liza Horan
The Grand Slam Committee, which is comprised of one representative for each of the majors including USTA President Lucy Garvin for the U.S. Open, has handed down a record fine of $175,000 to Serena Williams and threatened barring her from competing at an upcoming edition of the U.S. Open, among other penalties for her on-court behavior at the 2009 U.S. Open.
30 November 2009
On 9 November 2009, the Grand Slam Committee Administrator determined that Ms. Serena Williams had committed the Grand Slam Major Offence of Aggravated Behaviour for her misconduct at the 2009 US Open.
The Decision and Penalties were as follows:
1. Ms. Williams is guilty of the Major Offense of Aggravated Behaviour (Article V.A);
2. Ms. Williams is hereby fined $175,000 (including the $10,000 penalty already
3. Ms. Williams is hereby suspended from participation in either the 2010, 2011 or
4. If a further Grand Slam Major Offence is committed during the period, the full
5. As always, all financial penalties arising from misconduct at Grand Slam
This ruling is based on her committing a "Major Offence of Aggravated Behaviour" when she unleashed a barrage of threatening statements and body language to a linesperson who had called a foot-fault in the last moments of her semifinal match against eventual Open champion Kim Clijsters. Full details here.
The decision by the Committee—which is comprised of Garvin, Geoff Pollard for Australian Open, Jean Gachassin for Roland Garros and Tim Phillips for Wimbledon—was made on Nov. 9, but made public only today through a press release. The full text follows.
PRESS RELEASE: SERENA WILLIAMS DECISION
30 November 2009
On 9 November 2009, the Grand Slam Committee Administrator determined that Ms. Serena Williams had committed the Grand Slam Major Offence of Aggravated Behaviour for her misconduct at the 2009 US Open.
The Decision and Penalties were as follows:
1. Ms. Williams is guilty of the Major Offense of Aggravated Behaviour (Article V.A);
2. Ms. Williams is hereby fined $175,000 (including the $10,000 penalty already
paid) which will be reduced to $82,500 if no further Grand Slam Major Offence
conviction occurs through and including 2011;
3. Ms. Williams is hereby suspended from participation in either the 2010, 2011 or
2012 US Open, as the case may be, except that any such suspension will not be
imposed if no further Grand Slam Major Offence conviction occurs through and
including 2011;
4. If a further Grand Slam Major Offence is committed during the period, the full
penalties will be re-instated in addition to any other penalties imposed for the
subsequent Grand Slam Major Offence;
5. As always, all financial penalties arising from misconduct at Grand Slam
tournaments are donated by the Grand Slam tournaments to the Grand Slam
Development Fund.
On 28 November 2009, the Grand Slam Committee affirmed the Decision and
Penalties of the Administrator and Ms. Williams was so advised.
The Grand Slam Committee is the independent governing body responsible for,
among other duties and functions, the establishment and enforcement of the Grand
Slam Rules, Regulations and Code of Conduct.
I dont think the fine should have been reduced. This was a serious out break VERY LIKELY will have long lasting negetive effects on the linesperson.
The fine should be 175,000.
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I completely support the Grand Slam Committee Administrator discussion, however, in addition I think that a 6 month suspension should have been imposed for 2010.
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I believe both Stan & James have hit the mark ... the fine should not be reduced AND a 6 month suspension should have been imposed for 2010. Serena's outburst was nothing short of gravely offensive and serious. There are COUNTLESS kids, mine included, who take tennis seriously and have made dedicated commitments to the sport. These kids, including the world at large, have their eye on everything the Pros do. Many schools and parents are working overtime to instill proper behavior and respect to all people, at all times. Serena's outburst demonstrated an attitude that leads one to believe she may feel she's above all reproach. Not a lesson the collective world should be instilling in our young people.
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I agree the fine is correct, her behavior was unacceptable and now she has to live with it.
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