No ban as USTA decide tantrum ‘not a major offence’

SERENA Williams avoided a ban from tennis after tournament officials decided her US Open final outburst did not constitute a major offence.

The 29-year-old was playing under a suspended ban from the 2009 tournament, when her infamous verbal attack on a lineswoman cost her a point penalty in the semi-final against eventual champion Kim Clijsters, which could have seen her barred from the 2012 US Open for another major offence.

But a statement released last night by the United States Tennis Association read: “US Open tournament referee Brian Earley has fined Serena Williams $2,000 following the code violation issued for verbal abuse during the women’s singles final.

“This fine is consistent with similar offences at Grand Slam events.

“As with all fines at the US Open, the monies levied are provided to the Grand Slam Development Fund which develops tennis programmes around the world.

“After independently reviewing the incident which served as the basis for the code violation, and taking into account the level of fine imposed by the US Open referee, the grand slam committee director has determined that Ms Williams’ conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offence under the grand slam code of conduct.”

Williams showed no contrition for her behaviour after the match, although she was gracious in defeat and chatted amiably with her Australian conqueror before the presentation ceremony.

Williams earned $1.4 million at this year’s US Open –$900,000 for reaching the final, plus a $500,000 bonus for finishing first in the standings of the US Open Series, which takes into account results at the North American hardcourt lead-up tournaments.