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US Open 2009 Controversy: Serena Williams versus Kim Clijsters, Racially Motivated?

September 12, 2009 by vongsundara

U.S. Open: Serena Williams penalized on match point to fall in semis -- ESPN.

To start off, please let me say that I am not a big Serena Williams fan (though I do love Venus Williams), more for her after-match press conference remarks throughout the years. That being said, I really respect Serena Williams as a competitor on the court.

What happened to Serena Williams at the US Open 2009 tonight was absolutely ridiculous. If this was the first incident against the Williams sisters, I might look at it differently, as Serena did clearly verbally abuse the lineswoman. Sure, by the rules, everything went according to the book. I just can’t see this as an isolated incident, though.

The horrible part (not as horrible as what happened to Serena of course) is that I’m actually a really huge Kim Clijsters fan, and she was outplaying Serena and had a huge shot at winning the match had it gone on. That being said, Serena has been down in similar situations and still gone on to win the tournament (like this year at Australian Open and French Open). So Kim not being to close it out does indeed leave doubts. Serena holding serve would have had a shot at a tiebreaker to even the match with the third set being 50/50 odds at winning. So let’s be clear that Serena was by no means out of the match when this happened.

I’m getting a little ahead of myself. I should explain the situation.

Serena Williams was serving at 15-30, second serve, against Kim Clisters who was leading 6-5 in the second set. Serena was called for a foot fault, meaning she stepped over the line on her serve. Now, it was foolish of the commentators to try to comment on whether she foot faulted or not. First of all, the camera angles are really difficult to see and second of all, calling a foot fault to give someone match point is almost unheard of in tennis.

Yes, unheard of. Especially for a baseline player who was not approaching the net.

There have also been many, many times worse arguments that did not end with a point violation to end a match. Yes, Serena did have a previous code violation for smashing her racquet earlier in the match. Yes, getting a second violation is an automatic point penalty. Still, though, compared to what has happened in the past in tennis, this was way overboard to have the match end this way. This is when judgment should be used. Ending the match was not good judgment.

Let’s combine this knowledge with all the past incidents that have happened against Serena Williams and Venus Williams, the most notable is of course the Serena vs. Jennifer Capriati match from the US Open 2004 tournament.

Now, this is where it gets iffy, and I know people are going to get upset at this and accuse me of bringing up the race card, but seriously . . . this would not have happened if Serena was white. Yeah, I said it. You all know it’s true too.

Like I said, as an isolated incident, it might be seen differently, but the treatment Serena has received over the years (which by the way I can’t think of the same types of incidents occurring over and over to any other players) leads me to this conclusion.

Yes, Serena could have handled herself better (which I think she did during the Capriati incident), but enough is enough people. Yes, I realize the lineswoman was not white.

Anyhow, that’s still how I feel.

Also, the fact that these incidents ONLY happen during tiebreaks (like Venus getting screwed because the score was incorrectly called “by accident”), or to give break point (Capriati match), or to give match point (Clijsters match). . . well, doesn’t that say a lot.

Having rewatched the calls from the YouTube video above have made me even more mad again.

Please have a look at the video before commenting, as it shows how ridiculous the history has been and why Serena Williams probably lost her cool today.

Just to remind everyone, the treatment of Serena has been so bad in the past that it’s generally agreed upon that it is the single defining moment that pushed the Grand Slam tournaments to adopt a challenge system.

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195911 Responses2009-09-13+03%3A23%3A15vongsundara to “US Open 2009 Controversy: Serena Williams versus Kim Clijsters, Racially Motivated?”

Genesis Montero on September 13th, 2009 4:01 AM

Let me ask you something. Does this happened to other minorities in Tennis or does it just keep happening to her? Cause if it just keeps happening to her then it might just have something to do with her. – Genesis Montero
Genesis Montero on September 13th, 2009 4:03 AM

Let me clarify my point. Are you speaking of the larger issue of minorities playing on " White People " sports or is it specific to Serena Williams?
vongsundara on September 13th, 2009 4:09 AM

Specifically this post is about the treatment of the Williams sisters. I believe it does happen in wider sports, but the fact that Serena is so dominant in her sport amplifies the situation.

The reason why I think this is racially motivated is that there was a previous incident involving Venus Williams (and Irina Spirlea) where Venus was flat-out called racially derogatory names. I just think Irina Spirlea was saying how a lot of people in tennis were starting to feel.

I don't think it's changed. Venus and Serena are too classy to say that these incidents are racially motivated, but seriously. And you know I don't mention race often, and not at all on my comedy website of all places. But yeah, this is really out of hand now, and I thought someone had to point it out.
Min on September 12th, 2009 9:21 PM

Well, lets keep this BLACK-WHITE point away!! she was under pressure from the expectation she had built for herself. she wanted to win, that does not mean other player cannot play well or she cannot make any mistake or fault or for that matter she can’t be called for as she is BLACK!! horrible thinking… i tried to find myself from replays whether it was or not a foot fault, but unable to make out.. you actually need vulture view to confirm.. ok!! for one minute lets agree it was incorrect a mistake on part of line umpire, but the behavior serena showed was uncalled for… were you seriously thinking that she would have won the point, then set and next set and the match???? think again, she lost the match long back, it was just the final nail to the coffin. i agree she is great player, but that and being BLACK doeant mean she can behave the way she want?? I wish Kim had won the match herway.. but win is win, she should be happy about that.

When you say male players dont get such penalty i would add i never saw them behaving like this, going and threating the umpire. Saying abusive words, i very common, both male and female players do that, but threatening and speaking abusive words to themselves are 2 different things. While u speak abusive words to yourself, you have no one to hurt, but!!!…

please leave BLACK-WHITE controversy aside, now dont start it again… and FYI i m not american, i have my reservations for my repect of US as a country, but guys this is totally different.
vongsundara on September 13th, 2009 4:27 AM

Seriously, on its own it doesn't seem like much, but watch the old videos and the history of Serena's treatment plus the treatment of other players who went way beyond the beyond (like John McEnroe) and tell me that she deserved to be defaulted.

Yes, I know John McEnroe was thrown out at Aussie Open once, but even then what he did was way beyond what happened here.

Please see the whole picture here. Did you have a chance to watch the video above to give perspective?
vongsundara on September 13th, 2009 4:28 AM

BTW the point about male players not doing the same? Have you seen Andy Roddick? Nevermind John McEnroe. Please, Serena's actions aren't even in the same league.
ROTH on September 13th, 2009 4:51 AM

By my count, this exceptionally gifted tennis player but rude, unprofessional drama queen has recorded at least a half dozen major violations in recent memory. Her behavior at the U.S. Open, indicative and true to style and manners (actually lack of both) was characteristic. After playing badly, smashing her racket after losing the first set (earning her a rules violation warning) and her actions at the end of the second set (under the rules costing her the point) earned the loss she richly deserved. I am embarrassed for her, her opponent, the USTA and everyone who had to witness that totally unacceptable behavior.
Genesis Montero on September 13th, 2009 6:44 AM

I do quote this line of yours often " Immigrants don't complain about unfairness because no one said it would be fair. They said we had an opportunity which is more than we had on our home country. "

Racism in sports is a sad reality. It seems that the only way to combat it is to do as Jackie Robinson did on baseball, with class and dignity. You say the Williams are following his lead which is great. So yeah, I stand behind you statement. I wonder how the fans at large feel about the issue. Do you think you point it out bring greater awareness to the issue or are they willingly ignoring it and allowing it to go on without discussion.

Change is unstoppable if slow to manifest itself. Please keep putting your opinions out there as I find them refreshingly sincere and with a fun twist. – Genesis Montero
Genesis_Montero on September 13th, 2009 6:52 AM

Look I made an account! How exciting, do you have an RSS feed? Keep posting them on facebook please, it make life easier.
vongsundara on September 13th, 2009 4:41 AM

BTW2, you should know that the match wasn't over. I love Kim Clijsters and I have been rooting for her to win this entire tournament, but as a Clijsters fan, I know she has a history of choking. Also, Serena is 7-1 against Clijsters . . . Serena was also a hold away from a tiebreak to even the match and would have been favoured to win the third set. So yes, the match was still up for grabs.

Also, I'm not saying that Serena gets to behave the way she wants because she is black. The fact that that's what you took from my statements is crazy. I'm asking for equal treatment and you take that as me asking for privileged treatment because of her minority status? Think again please.

Your own biases show clearly through your post.
vongsundara on September 18th, 2009 2:35 AM

Great. I hope you continue to comment, as it makes the website much better when people interact. I'll definitely keep posting these articles on Facebook.

You can grab an RSS feed from my Twitter page (http://www.supercute.ca/twitter). The Twitter feed will alert you whenever I have a new post.