During the U.S. Open for tennis, there was an instance in the semifinals match between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams where Williams was charged with a match point penalty after a confrontation with an official. On video is Williams cussing out the line judge for a foot fault penalty that was obviously not a foot fault penalty.
Williams was serving against Clijsters in the second set at 5-6, 15-40 after dropping the first set 4-6. A foot fault at this point in a match is a very unlikely call to be made. Williams obviously knew that she wasn't foot faulting but her reaction was clearly uncalled for. Williams is quoted as saying "I'm going to shove this ball down your f------ throat." Along with her also yelling other slanders at the line judge.
I do not agree with the conduct portrayed from Williams in the semifinals match. This conduct in a country club sport such as tennis will have harsher punishments than most sports. Even though Williams as competetive athlete should not react in this way. Though tensions are high at a semifinals match in the U.S. Open match, any athlete should know how to harness anger and agression towards the match or game when applicable.
From personally playing tennis along with soccer in high school, I can understand the agression of any sport and the desire to ALWAYS want to win. But I can also say that I have never gotten ejected or fined from a tennis match or soccer game from cussing out an official. I have been disqualified from soccer for hitting a few players, but maybe that's how an athlete should react?
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