"Serena makes fool of herself"

[TrackDaddy]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

But neither did Martina, Jimmy, McEnroe, etc..

Not sure why this is any different.

The TRUTH is that she's a great champion who has been a model of professionalism and grace throughout her career. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hingis, Capriati, et al.

[Dutra]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

No. She did it in a threatening manner.

[nevetsllim]

Wow. This thread is unbelievable.

Serena is one of the few things right about the USTA

Yes, she lost her temper and said some regrettable things and for that she was penalized match point in the semis of a major!! My goodness isn't that enough?

As bad as this was what she's been through from the other direction pales in comparison.

I agree.

I just find the situation ridiculous. I cannot believe the linesperson had the temerity to call it a foot-fault when the replay showed it wasn't (McEnroe agreed) and I just think the situation could have been easily resolved if the linesperson used her common sense and let play continue because despite Serena's mental toughness, I'm sure Clijsters would have won the match regardless but instead the match dissolved into confusion over what Serena did or did not say. It wasn't fair on Clijsters because she wasn't able to celebrate properly because she was unable to finish the match in a proper fashion and it wasn't fair on the crowd who wanted to see the end of the match.

I still thought Azarenka's behaviour at Wimbledon was worse and nothing happened to her.

[bambam]

Didn't see it but the setting likely had something to do with it? Can you picture this happening at Wimbledon, the French?
If the audio is available I'd be interested in hearing it uncut but that probably won't happen.

I heard the uncut version last night and the things that came out of her mouth made John McEnroe blush. Afterwards, in a fit of self-serving hypocrisy, she said that McEnroe had always been her biggest idol. McEnroe later said she obviously learned the wrong lesson from him. She started out by getting a few feet from the referee and saying, "I swear to god I’m f-----g going to take this ball and shove it down your f-----g mouth." After that it only got worse. Here's the bleeped version.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xagxcp ... p001_sport

Serena has shown her lack of class just one time too many for me, and I'm sorry to say that I can no longer call myself one of her fans. The good news is that I'll no longer have trouble deciding who to pull for when the Williams sisters play each other.

Pretty much agree. Venus Williams reeks of class. I have always liked her. Serena is probably a better player overall, but hard to root against Venus.

But I think Serena got screwed here. I was watching and if there was a foot fault at all, and the poor angle videos don't show one, it was pretty minor. A good no call as they say in baskeball.

[jazzcyclist]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

But neither did Martina, Jimmy, McEnroe, etc..

Not sure why this is any different.

The TRUTH is that she's a great champion who has been a model of professionalism and grace throughout her career. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hingis, Capriati, et al.

TD, I can't believe you would defend Serena by comparing her to Connors and McEnroe. I guess next you'll defend Plaxico Burress by comparing him to Robert Blake. Not only has McEnroe had points taken away from him, he's had to default matches. I hold my people to a higher standard than that TD, and I'm disappointed that you don't. As for Hingis and Capriatti, if they ever carried on the way Serena did, I haven't seen it, but I would not give them a pass either. Has either one of them ever dropped that many f-bombs on a line judge?

[TrackDaddy]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

No. She did it in a threatening manner.

Were McEnroe, Martina, Jennifer and Jimmy ever threatening? Surely you're aware of some the things they said. What makes it any more threatening coming from Serena? Hasn't she done it far less than they did in their careers?

Do you realize some of the things that Venus and Serena have had to deal with on the tour, winning in spite of them?

This being blown out of proportion because it was Serena who lost her temper. Even taking match point from her was unfair considering some of the things that are said to officials on tour.

But when it comes from her its threatening. Probably because she's from Compton, huh?

[Dutra]

I just find the situation ridiculous..

Exactly. It's ridiculous for a player to shake and point her racquet at an official in a threatening manner.

[TrackDaddy]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

But neither did Martina, Jimmy, McEnroe, etc..

Not sure why this is any different.

The TRUTH is that she's a great champion who has been a model of professionalism and grace throughout her career. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hingis, Capriati, et al.

TD, I can't believe you would defend Serena by comparing her to Connors and McEnroe. I guess next you'll defend Plaxico Burress by comparing him to Robert Blake. Not only has McEnroe had points taken away from him, he's had to default matches. I hold my people to a higher standard than that TD, and I'm disappointed that you don't. As for Hingis and Capriatti, if they ever carried on the way Serena did, I haven't seen it, but I would not give them a pass either. Has either one of them ever dropped that many f-bombs on a line judge?

What?!? You've never seen the spoiled brat Capriati blow her top? Are you a tennis fan? And you know why McEnroe had points taken away from him? He was NOTORIOUS for this type of thing. He'd scream and yell hold up the match detroy his rackets, curse out officials, yell at his opponents, etc, etc.

There's NO comparison to Serena who has for the most part been a model of professional behavior.

Why are you trying to label her as some spoiled brat and act like she's worse than Connors, McEnroe and Capriati? :shock:

[nevetsllim]

I believe Serena took exception to a called foot fault :shock: on a crucial point in the semis of a major.

Did she do it tactfully, no.

But neither did Martina, Jimmy, McEnroe, etc..

Not sure why this is any different.

The TRUTH is that she's a great champion who has been a model of professionalism and grace throughout her career. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hingis, Capriati, et al.

TD, I can't believe you would defend Serena by comparing her to Connors and McEnroe. I guess next you'll defend Plaxico Burress by comparing him to Robert Blake. Not only has McEnroe had points taken away from him, he's had to default matches. I hold my people to a higher standard than that TD, and I'm disappointed that you don't. As for Hingis and Capriatti, if they ever carried on the way Serena did, I haven't seen it, but I would not give them a pass either. Has either one of them ever dropped that many f-bombs on a line judge?

Capriati has.

[Vault-emort]

Wow. This thread is unbelievable.As bad as this was what she's been through from the other direction pales in comparison.

ludicrous

[jazzcyclist]

Why are you trying to label her as some spoiled brat and act like she's worse than Connors, McEnroe and Capriati? :shock:

I never said she was worse then them. I'm saying I want her to be better than them. Why can't she use Authur Ashe or Billie Jean King as a role model instead of those clowns? I have to admit that I'm really surprised to find out that apparently, you're completely comfortable with her behavior.

[TrackDaddy]

Wow. This thread is unbelievable.As bad as this was what she's been through from the other direction pales in comparison.

ludicrous

No its not ludicrous, VE.

Serena (and Venus) have been through a lot with officials, line judges, tour officials, commentators etc.

Their father's boorish behavior, predictions and subsequent celebrations brought some of it on them but a lot of it was people accepting the shock of their somewhat bold arrival on tour.

When you're a kid and you're getting booed in your own country while your adult foreign opponent is being cheered its not easy to deal with.

[TrackDaddy]

Why are you trying to label her as some spoiled brat and act like she's worse than Connors, McEnroe and Capriati? :shock:

I never said she was worse then them. I'm saying I want her to be better than them. Why can't she use Authur Ashe or Billie Jean King as a role model instead of those clowns? I have to admit that I'm really surprised to find out that apparently, you're completely comfortable with her behavior.

I've already stated that her actions weren't tactful, jc. But Serena is not known for these type of blow ups like the people I've mentioned. This is rare for her.

People don't like Serena because when she loses she rarely credits her opponent and says it was because she didnt play well. I'm starting to think she always believes that. But Serena has been a lady in the game and role model for the most part. Last night wasn't her best response even though it appears she was yet AGAIN treated unfairly by a line judge.

[jazzcyclist]

When you're a kid and you're getting booed in your own country while your adult foreign opponent is being cheered its not easy to deal with.

I remember that well, and I also remember several commentators calling out those fans for the racists that they are. But are you saying that the Williams sisters' unfair treatment by American fans in the past gave Serena license to act like an asshole last night after an official made a bad call? And for the record, I never condoned McEnroe's boorish behavior, did you?

[jazzcyclist]

her actions "weren't tactful"

TD, with all due respect, it's euphemisms like this that make you sound like a Serena apologist. That ranks right up there with "enhanced interrogation techniques". I give you a pass on being a Sanya apologist since you have a close personal friendship with her, but you get no pass for Serena. By the way, it's unfathomable to me that Sanya would ever act like this, unless the referee had murdered one of her family members.