Serena Williams, writing a blog for globalgrind.com, says she was given a disproportionately large fine for her U.S. Open outburst and is accusing ITF officials of biased treatment.
"To clear things up FIRST I was NOT fined 82 thousand dollars. I was fined 92 thousand dollars! I paid 10 thousand dollars on site immediately after the U. S. Open. So for the record, I was fined $92,000 not $82,000! The biggest fine EVER in tennis," wrote Serena, going on to describe being booed by the crowd at Indian Wells in 2001 and the bad calls that went against her in the 2004 U.S. Open quarterfinal against Jennifer Capriati.
"However I don't recall EVER receiving a note, a phone call, a letter even a text from anyone at the Grand Slam Committee ITF apologizing about the wrong and disastrous call one of THEIR officials made," she wrote of the Capriati incident, though noting that she did receive an apology from U.S. Open officials.
After receiving a foot fault call that put her down match point against Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open semifinal this year, Williams said she "began to wonder - [w]as I being 'overlooked' or wrongly judged on purpose!???... Throughout my career I have remained calm. But I guess I finally reached my breaking point."
Williams also compared her fines to two former ATP players. Unlike Williams, however, both the players apparently referenced also received suspensions or defaults for their worst infractions.
"There is another HE [Jeff Tarango] who was fined less than half of what I was fined after someone in his camp actually physically ATTACKED an official!!!!" she wrote.
"What about the famous HE [presumably John McEnroe] who made arguing with officials 'cool.' Cool for 'MEN' I guess. Is it because they are all HE's and not a SHE like me? It is indeed a massive difference. Being American I guess the 1st amendment, freedom of speech, does not apply to a SHE in this case? In any event the Grand Slam Committee, ITF and its staff did not hesitate to call, send a note, text, nor write letters after this incident. Ironic is it not?... I don't mind being fined. If I did wrong I accept the repercussions. All I ask for is to be treated equal."