tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
For the poor behavior exhibited by Serena, does she deserve at least a six month suspension ( same as Johny Mac for the Aussie Open) or we should just get over it ?
Does Serena deserve a Suspension
- Thread starter tennisaddict
- Start date
fleabitten
Semi-Pro
Why did you have to add "6 months or more"?
Seems like this would have been a more accurate poll with just yes and no.
Seems like this would have been a more accurate poll with just yes and no.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
For the same reason i quoted in the original post - Johny Mac did something much lesser and got 6 months.
She deserves a suspension. She threatened the line judge physically and verbally. It does not matter if it is Serena or anyone else, this behavior can not be tolerated and without strict consequences it will continue.
All of the problems caused with the foot fault are there because it is not called everytime. If any part of the foot or shoe comes into contact with anypart of the white line or the inside of the court from the beginning of the service motion until the racket hits the ball, it has to be called a foot fault everytime or never. It doesn't matter if is an 1/8 of an inch or 3 inches it is a foot fault and should be treated the same. You can not call it later if you have not called it at the beginning or in the middle. So either it is a rule that should be followed all of the time, ignored all of the time, or taken out of the rules.
This threat and verbal abuse was seen all over the world and if there is not a penalty applied now then it should never be applied. You can say, "Well she was fined $10,000." She is taking home hundreds of thousands of dollars from this tournament and $10,000 will mean less than nothing. Banning her from the next tournment will mean nothing, she probably wasn't going to it anyway.
This behavior should not be tolerated and, if there are no consequences, it will be uglier.
I didn't vote because I have no opinion on the length of the suspension.
All of the problems caused with the foot fault are there because it is not called everytime. If any part of the foot or shoe comes into contact with anypart of the white line or the inside of the court from the beginning of the service motion until the racket hits the ball, it has to be called a foot fault everytime or never. It doesn't matter if is an 1/8 of an inch or 3 inches it is a foot fault and should be treated the same. You can not call it later if you have not called it at the beginning or in the middle. So either it is a rule that should be followed all of the time, ignored all of the time, or taken out of the rules.
This threat and verbal abuse was seen all over the world and if there is not a penalty applied now then it should never be applied. You can say, "Well she was fined $10,000." She is taking home hundreds of thousands of dollars from this tournament and $10,000 will mean less than nothing. Banning her from the next tournment will mean nothing, she probably wasn't going to it anyway.
This behavior should not be tolerated and, if there are no consequences, it will be uglier.
I didn't vote because I have no opinion on the length of the suspension.
Last edited:
Very well said.
It occurred to me reading this post that there's a parallel between not calling foot faults every time and past incidents of not sanctioning players for unsportsmanlike conduct. Players like McEnroe, Nastase, Connors were allowed to get away with shocking behavior and other players could always point to their treatment as a reason their behavior should not be penalized.
As a result, in my view, tennis was diminished.
The same with the grunting/screaming/shrieking on every point. Seles was allowed to do it and then the Williams sisters and Sharapova -- and now we have the Doppler-effect Larcher de Brito.
I was initially hesitant about a 6-month suspension, but voted yes because that will mean Serena doesn't get to defend her AO title -- a one-Slam suspension.
Tennis has been the arena for her success -- she's both contributed to tennis and benefited from it. She is not bigger than the sport, however. Her success means that she's a role model. Her behavior should not be tolerated.
D
Deleted member 21996
Guest
wow.. as a Portuguese i am honoured that you believe Michelle is the expanding universe of tennis... :twisted:
vandre
Hall of Fame
i agree with a one slam suspension but i think she should be suspended from the 2010 uso (i know, i'm dreaming). the aussies barred jmac from playing in the next ao when he defaulted (which is what i think serena should've gotten, even though the point penalty ended the match just the same). i don't remember if he was also kick out of the next slam (the fo) but in the 90s i don't remember mac playing the french much anyway. mac's meltdown was tame compared to serena's.
in fact, i don't have a problem if serena doesn't play the ao and the uso next yr. i think the seriousness of the incident makes it okay if the wta and the usta each want to spank her. but i really doubt the usta will do anything to her that amounts to more than a "gesture".
in fact, i don't have a problem if serena doesn't play the ao and the uso next yr. i think the seriousness of the incident makes it okay if the wta and the usta each want to spank her. but i really doubt the usta will do anything to her that amounts to more than a "gesture".
In no way do I mean any disrespect to the Portuguese people. I object to her looong screams -- and her "Well if they don't like it, they can leave" attitude -- quite independently of her nationality.
She's a teenager; I understand that. I just hope some of the adults around her will do the right thing and teach her that this is no way to make a name for herself. Her tennis has great potential; her screaming can only serve to detract from it and turn fans (and sponsors) away from her.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
MCENROE WAS NOT SUSPENDED SIX MONTHS, NOR WAS HE BARRED FROM THE NEXT YEAR"S AO, AFTER HE WAS DEFAULTED
sorry for the caps, but this is really starting to get on my nerves...
sorry for the caps, but this is really starting to get on my nerves...
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 21996
Guest
ok. this is the only fair post i have seen so far about her from those of you who dislike her... so major props to you!
you can understand that being Portuguese i get sort of defensive against bashing her. but i would recognize she could work on that A LOT. in all fairness to her, she (inside info i get) is trying to work to tone that habit down, but it's like saying: Rafa.. dont pick it!
Last edited by a moderator:
MichaelChang
Hall of Fame
You need a poll option which says she deserves a ban with <= 6 month, eg, from now till the end of year, about 3month.
ArrowSmith
Banned
Lifetime ban and prison sentence. :twisted:
D
Deleted member 21996
Guest
how would you know that? are you from any of those countries...?
At Wimbledon in 1995, Jeff Tarango argued with an ump, then walked off the court. He was fined a total of $63,000 and was banned from the upcoming US Open and the '96 Wimbledon. His only "obscenity" was when he told the crowd to shut up. The ump said that was an "audible obscenity". Huh?
I believe he was also immediately banned from the '95 doubles that he was in.
So, seeing and hearing Serena's meltdown with 3 obscenities in a sentence that ended with "kill you", I believe she should get double what Tarango got.
I believe he was also immediately banned from the '95 doubles that he was in.
So, seeing and hearing Serena's meltdown with 3 obscenities in a sentence that ended with "kill you", I believe she should get double what Tarango got.
Tennis_Maestro
Banned
What a ****ty argument.
Mcenroe was playing in another era of tennis and just because they were lenient with his antics then doesn't mean they should stick by their cards 20 odd years later.
J
joshburger
Guest
what did mcenroe do to get suspended for 6 months?
Nadalfan89
Hall of Fame
Get over it, you geezers. It's about time some fire and passion came into this sport for once.
Tennis_Maestro
Banned
This is the most laughable thing i believe i've heard/read today.
Primarily because it is coming from the same guy that endlessly slates Andy Murray everytime he shouts "cmon" from player's unforced errors or double faults.
Michelle Larcher de Brito
I really do hope she can tone down her noisemaking habit. I've read in a number of places that, in general, habits take about 6 weeks to change. That can vary, of course, but I'm of the opinion that Michelle has plenty of good reasons to develop a new habit. A good coach should be able to help her do that. Then she can let her tennis do the talking.
I'm glad you understand where I'm coming from. No intention to bash her.ok. this is the only fair post i have seen so far about her from those of you who dislike her... so major props to you!
you can understand that being Portuguese i get sort of defensive against bashing her. but i would recognize she could work on that A LOT. in all fairness to her, she (inside info i get) is trying to work to tone that habit down, but it's like saying: Rafa.. dont pick it!
I really do hope she can tone down her noisemaking habit. I've read in a number of places that, in general, habits take about 6 weeks to change. That can vary, of course, but I'm of the opinion that Michelle has plenty of good reasons to develop a new habit. A good coach should be able to help her do that. Then she can let her tennis do the talking.
I think an adequate punishment for serena would have been to remove her from the doubles championship. That would suck for Venus but doubles is a team effort. Either that or suspension from the next us open.
6 Months is quite long imo but I would rather have seen her face some sort of punishment that would actually make her regret her actions. I know she "apologized" but we all now know what type of person she is. Especially after the incident in her post match interviews.
Monetary punishment means nothing to Serena with her millions. Nor do small tournaments. The only thing she seems to care about are the slams.
It doesn't matter though because she walks away with basically no punishment. I hope the tennis fanbase remembers her actions. Verbal outbreaks are one thing but her words were truly unbelievable. How can you say that on one of the worlds biggest stages.
6 Months is quite long imo but I would rather have seen her face some sort of punishment that would actually make her regret her actions. I know she "apologized" but we all now know what type of person she is. Especially after the incident in her post match interviews.
Monetary punishment means nothing to Serena with her millions. Nor do small tournaments. The only thing she seems to care about are the slams.
It doesn't matter though because she walks away with basically no punishment. I hope the tennis fanbase remembers her actions. Verbal outbreaks are one thing but her words were truly unbelievable. How can you say that on one of the worlds biggest stages.
maverick66
Hall of Fame
If I was the ITF I would ban her from the aussie. One major suspension should be enough. Its more about sending a message to the rest of the tour that even Serena is not above the rules.
TennisNinja
Hall of Fame
Yes but not for 6 months. Maybe 1-2 months.
shaysrebelII
Professional
no sport with any self-esteem would let its athletes (especially its top athletes) get away with what serena might get away with right here. She could've been suspended from the uso doubles final, so a six month suspension isn't out of line at all, imo.
Dante Stallworth? Ray Lewis? O.J. Simpson? Really?
Well, I guess that speaks volumes about American sports and the justice system here in the great democracy right?!
Oh, and football (soccer) players do far worse.
TheFifthSet
Legend
Suspension yes, but 6 month suspension?
I think that's too harsh.
I think that's too harsh.
topher.juan
Rookie
I voted 6months just to vote for suspension. Sitting out one major would be enough for me. What she did cannot be tolerated, the ITF needs to demonstrate this, as of now they've hardly slapped her on the wrist.
malakas
Banned
UEFA has become very strict.If a player said that in front of a camera audibly,like Serena did you can bet he would be severely punished and most possibly suspended.
big bang
Hall of Fame
you bet the would!! about 1 month ago a player from the national league in Denmark said in an interview after a match that the judge must be an idiot to make the calls he did.. he got suspended for the next 2 matches and fined as well for that statement..
malakas
Banned
and that was nothing.If Uefa even hears a whisper about racist comments,they fine thousands euros a team,ban supporters from matches..
I don't wanna even imagine what they would,if they heard of such death threats.
S
SerbWhoLovesDelPo
Guest
Can we have some comparison with other similar incidents? Other than McEnroe at AO?
She should definitely be punished with more than 10k.
She should definitely be punished with more than 10k.
BorisBeckerFan
Professional
This is not geared to Serena but to all abusers who disrespect the game, others and ultimately themselves. No suspenssion no fine. Withhold hold there earnings from the current tournament in which the offense happens. So if you win the US Open you still win it but you wouldn't get the million dollar check. This is is the kind of action that would make players think twice about throwing a fit on the court. There are dignified ways to show anger and emotions without using profanities, vulgarities, and insulting another person.
D
Deleted member 21996
Guest
it's not hard to understand the points held against her. your was just put in a much more inteligent way than the usual for TW standards...
Im not advocating profanities but I could understand the use of them. In the heat of the moment if you are frustraded they just come out. Ive heard almost every player say some nasty things. Especially in foreign toungues. I speak spanish but it only takes some high school level spanish to understand much of what nadal says to himself on court. Thats reasonable though.
But to say "im going to shove this ball down your throat" . . . who says that lol.
Tennis should be like soccer in how they officiate. If players disrespect an oficial beyond reasonable limit . . . game over (red card). Tennis players should simply be esorted off the premisis in front of thousands of fans if they try to pull crap like Serena.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
I am definitely for a LARGE $$$ fine (take away all the money she collected at the 09 USO), and a suspension that would include at least one slam. Some other players like Volandri (Asthma steroid), Davy (a few $$ bidding), etc got it MUCH worse than what she got so far. And what she did (although in the heat of the moment) can be considered an assault. I am also sure that a few kids that sat close to the courts have heard pieces of what she said...
li0scc0
Hall of Fame
My opinion - suspend her from the next US Open, the 2010 US Open. Or from the 2010 Australian Open (the first major event in 2010).
I don't think a complete 6 month suspension is warranted. She should be able to play some other tourneys in the next 6 months. But make it serious by suspending from a major like the 2010 Australian or the 2010 US Open. Just a thought.
I think that an elite athlete should be in control of oneself to produce the best performance you can. For Serena to throw the tirade she did Kim had completely beaten her mentally and with her tennis game. Frustrated to the point she exploded at her first opportunity... at the lines person.
I do not justify nor condone it, but what is worse is her lack of remorse for doing it... (press conference after the match). The apology was scripted and if you watch Venus... she could not even listen to her (she had a dazed look on her face).
Since this was a Grand Slam event... I say suspend her for the 4 majors for the next year. It would still allow her to participate in the WTA calendar but still penalize her.
No one person is bigger than the game and the number 2 player in the world is no different... considering in her mind she is number 1 and got beaten on the court and mentally by a wild card. Go Kim... What happens when Henin comes back...????
I do not justify nor condone it, but what is worse is her lack of remorse for doing it... (press conference after the match). The apology was scripted and if you watch Venus... she could not even listen to her (she had a dazed look on her face).
Since this was a Grand Slam event... I say suspend her for the 4 majors for the next year. It would still allow her to participate in the WTA calendar but still penalize her.
No one person is bigger than the game and the number 2 player in the world is no different... considering in her mind she is number 1 and got beaten on the court and mentally by a wild card. Go Kim... What happens when Henin comes back...????
35ft6
Legend
Nice call. In general, I've been saying for years and years that I wish they would let the players express themselves more. I wouldn't mind more trash talk between the guys, who generally act like they're all members of the same college fraternity. And more emotional outbursts. Sports is character driven. It's not about technique. And there's not enough character development in tennis these days, or plot, it's become a Michael Bay movie, and I wouldn't mind if more stuff like this happened as unfortunate as it was.
And old Asian ladies are tough cookies. I'm sure that lineswoman isn't losing any sleep. But I would like to hear her thoughts on this, even if whatever she says will have been carefully refined by the lawyers of the USTA.
Last edited:
I believe Serena should receive a lifetime ban from the WTA and banned from being inducted into the hall of fame. Serena is pure trash and someone who doesn't represent tennis greatness such as great Americans such as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and among others.
Similar threads
