Serena tries to justify her USO outburst.

[woodrow1029]

I wouldn't put a line call in the same category a foot fault just as I wouldn't put a time violation in the same category as a line call. To put this in basketball terms, a line call is like a "basket" and a foot fault is like a foul. Now we know that officials are 100% on calling baskets good or not good, but I don't think we can say the same thing about calling fouls. Seems to be some "grey area", discrestion, and politics involved.

OK, so now you ask "how much of a footfault should we allow? Should we not call it if Serena was serving from to service line just because of the situation in the match, etc".

I don't want to walk down these absurd paths. But having gone to Indian Wells a few times, I would say that I for sure saw things that looked like foot faults to me (barely) that weren't called. Some players just have motions that lend themselves to foot faults, but they still don't get it called very often.

Then then I've seen certain matches on TV where a guy is getting called all the time. It just seems to be "the day" to call foot faults.

Basically, I'm saying that **I think** officials do use a bit of discretion and don't call every foot fault that occurs. So because I believe this to be true, I think that calling the foot fault on Serena was ***questionable judgement***.

Just as I believe calling this foot fault on match point, might not have been the best idea either. It's just not something you ever see and makes for a very anti-climatic ending to say the least. You can say "that's because nobody ever foot faults by even a millimeter on match point", but I don't know. I just don't think I buy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnQp9YoLl68

At any rate, I can safely say that I empathize with Serena given the situation. I would would have been pretty angry if I were serving in that exact situation at the US Open. Clisters looked a little shocked herself at the foot fault. Just not something you ever really see called.

Now, what followed is not excusable. Someone as famous as Serena needs to control herself no matter how angry she is. All the same, its easy for me to sit back and criticize her from my living room. I know how intense sports competition is and Serena is a feisty competitor. So just turning that on and off is pretty hard.

Look, I know I'm wrong. "The law" is black and white. A foot fault is a foot fault. So once the argument goes in the direction where we pretend all calls are always called "black and white" 100% of the time, I have no ground to stand on. But look, we all know that "politics" comes into play in all officiating (football, basketball, etc), but I know that everyone **forgets** this when it suits them to do so.

I agree 100% that not every foot fault that occurs is called. But, they're not not called because of the timing of the match. They are not called either because the line umpire wasn't 100% sure it was a foot fault, or because the line umpire missed it. If the line umpire is not calling foot faults based on situations, then that needs to be addressed with the individual line umpire, as that is not what they are trained to do.

Lleyton Hewitt is a great example. The way he turns the back of his foot towards the line when he serves causes him to foot fault. The problem is sometimes it's hard to 100% tell whether or not his foot actually hit the line or not. Sometimes, you could ask 100 people, and 50 might say he touched the line and 50 might say he didn't touch the line. Those should not be called.

Rusedski was another good example. He would foot fault quite a lot, but sometimes, it was hard to tell if he actually did because he dragged his back foot in so fast, it was hard to tell the timing sometimes.

I also know that people make mistakes, and that line calls and foot fault calls are missed.

What I don't agree with is the analogy of a foot fault to a foul in basketball. Line umpires are not there to make discretionary calls on situational decisions. Line umpires are there to make line calls, and a foot fault is a line call.

Unfortunately, they did away with Mac Cam, and there do not seem to be any videos or photos anywhere of what the line umpire saw.

From knowing and working with the line umpire in question for several years, and knowing that she is one of the top 3-5 line umpires in the world, I can tell you with a pretty high level of confidence that she would not make a foot fault call unless she was 1000% sure that a foot fault occurred. Also, considering it was Serena, and she has had a history of foot faulting in her career, that tournament, and I believe there were one or two called earlier in that match, I am not at all surprised that she did foot fault.

 

[r2473]

^^ True. No doubt Serena is a foot faulter. And probably should be called for it MORE OFTEN (as you point out with the other players you talk about above). That's what makes it tough. You groove a service motion that is basically the same each and every time. 99%+ of the time you don't get called for the foot fault. But "once in a while" you do. That (perceived?) inconsistency is probably what makes the players so angry.

Well, tough call nonetheless.

I bet Safin (another foot faulter) would have been busting racquets over heads after something like that. Hewitt would probably have just spit at her

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Right, because its not her country as well, right?

Interesting how you don't announce any reservations with the off court behavior of weed smokers, womanizers, and other deviants who also represented the U.S., but the best American tennis player just burns you up.
Please.

Serena is African American, so BluByU hates her to the point of sounding like a potentially violent stalker waiting to happen. Moreover, earlier today in the Results forum, he had a racist post about Serena removed. Meanwhile, his oft-labeled "golden" Kvitova (guess why he calls her "golden") is looking more and more like a one-hit wonder, while Serena defeats this young, allegeded force in the sport like she's a rookie, wins Wimbledon in convincing fashion, along with Olympic gold.

We know who matters in this sport, and its not Kvitova.

 

[r2473]

Serena is African American, so BluByU hates her to the point of sounding like a potentially violent stalker waiting to happen.

BlewBYU is obviously a mormon homosexual

And by the way, Serena is black (I though African American was passe).

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

It doesn't matter when it happens. That's like saying "I wrecked my car, but I was almost home". She was still defaulted. She didn't lose the match, it was taken from her by a point penalty which is a default.

McEnroe was defaulted by the same system, that defaulted Serena. McEnroe wasn't aware, and admitted as much, of the change in the point penalty system and thought he had another step. .

There's no comparison between Williams and the violent behavior of McEnroe, or the crucial reaction to said behavior, as recalled in the case known as Schneider v. McEnroe:

During a match at the U.S. Open, a fan repeatedly cheered for McEnroe’s opponent. McEnroe confronted the fan throughout the match, asking him if he had anything better to do than cheer McEnroe’s opponent, if he was going to cheer McEnroe’s opponent all day, etc. After the fan answered that he was going to continue to cheer for McEnroe’s
opponent and that he didn’t have anything better to do, McEnroe called the fan “a f*ckin’ assh*le.”

...there's more...

After the fan continued to cheer against McEnroe, McEnroe shouted, “You are sick, you are sick, you are ill, you are ill. I want to fight you, fight me now, meet me later. I am going to get you.” Shortly after this tirade, McEnroe made a motion with his arm towards the fan, described by the court as “sw[inging] his left arm in an upward movement in what might be described as a left-handed bowler’s follow-through or 1/2 of a two-handed obscene gesture.” As a result of the gesture, some rosin was released from McEnroe’s hand; a speck landed in the plaintiff’s eye.

Ultimately, the New York Supreme Court held that John McEnroe was not liable for threatening, and then taking a swing towards, Schneider, but the point could not be more clear: players have had outbursts for decades, and as in the case of McEnroe, he was still a fan favorite to many at the time of his pro years (even in the face of the UK press calling him "superbrat" among other things), and he's now one of the most respected ex-pros in the business.

So, I find it highly questionable when some whine about Williams or anyone else as though this never happened before, while saying nothing about Mac's actions which ended up in court or the vile Hewitt not being kicked out the U.S. Open for his sickening, racist tirade against James Blake and a linesman several years ago. Where was the message board outrage abut that? Nowehere to be found, and Hewitt has recieved a shining free pass (i.e. the tennis media tried to silence it not long after the incident and next to no one even mentions it anymore).

 

[Joseph L. Barrow]

Why is one rule more flexible than the other?

And you have said before your bias toowards on court officials

The time standard is in place for reasons that are not so much competitive as they are managerial/commercial; if players waste a whole lot of time between points, it can bore audiences and throw off the event schedule. The foot-fault rule is a line rule governing the actual play itself for competitive reasons; as such, arguing that the officials should not call foot-faults on important points is more analogous to arguing that they should not call out balls on important points than it is to arguing that they should not be lenient about the time they allow players between points.

 

[SLD76]

My bias towards on court officials? What does that mean?

I think it's obvious why one is more flexible than the other. There are a lot of things that make time violations a gray area such as crowd noise, length of a point sometimes, racket strings broken, other outside factors. A line call has no room for gray area. It's in or it's out. It's a foot fault or it's not. Also, line umpire's are there to call their line. They are not there to make decisions based on timing of the match, or outside interference factors, etc. They are there solely to call a line.

I have seen you comment on this and the nalbandian issue and you have been very open about the fact that you lean towards the officials over the players.
Not to say you are wrong to do so, and certainly not in the nalbandian case,
but still..Im wondering why a time violation is flexible but a foot fault call is inviolable

isnt a rule a rule?

 

[SLD76]

There's no comparison between Williams and the violent behavior of McEnroe, or the crucial reaction to said behavior, as recalled in the case known as Schneider v. McEnroe:



...there's more...



Ultimately, the New York Supreme Court held that John McEnroe was not liable for threatening, and then taking a swing towards, Schneider, but the point could not be more clear: players have had outbursts for decades, and as in the case of McEnroe, he was still a fan favorite to many at the time of his pro years (even in the face of the UK press calling him "superbrat" among other things), and he's now one of the most respected ex-pros in the business.

So, I find it highly questionable when some whine about Williams or anyone else as though this never happened before, while saying nothing about Mac's actions which ended up in court or the vile Hewitt not being kicked out the U.S. Open for his sickening, racist tirade against James Blake and a linesman several years ago. Where was the message board outrage abut that? Nowehere to be found, and Hewitt has recieved a shining free pass (i.e. the tennis media tried to silence it not long after the incident and next to no one even mentions it anymore).

but but but..its different for Mac

 

[SLD76]

The time standard is in place for reasons that are not so much competitive as they are managerial/commercial; if players waste a whole lot of time between points, it can bore audiences and throw off the event schedule. The foot-fault rule is a line rule governing the actual play itself for competitive reasons; as such, arguing that the officials should not call foot-faults on important points is more analogous to arguing that they should not call out balls on important points than it is to arguing that they should not be lenient about the time they allow players between points.

umm...that and fitness is a part of the game, if a player is less fit and winded after a long point, he/she nullifies the advantage of the fitter player by delaying between points. Isnt that competitive too?

 

[r2473]

The time standard is in place for reasons that are not so much competitive as they are managerial/commercial; if players waste a whole lot of time between points, it can bore audiences and throw off the event schedule. The foot-fault rule is a line rule governing the actual play itself for competitive reasons; as such, arguing that the officials should not call foot-faults on important points is more analogous to arguing that they should not call out balls on important points than it is to arguing that they should not be lenient about the time they allow players between points.

I think what the players (and fans) want is CONSISTENT enforcement of the rules.

Calling the odd foot fault or time violation seems arbitrary.

 

[Defcon]

Why is this racist classless entitled arrogant sorry excuse of a human being getting more press? She is just about the least sympathetic person in any sport.

 

[heftylefty]

She did footfault and it was the right call, simple as that. There's no grey area...either it's a fault or not. Some of the pro-Serena act like it's the asian linewomen is responsible for Serena's outburst(SIGH).

Gawd, enough with the baiting, dude. What difference does it make what ethnicity of the linesperson other than to simply bait? Please explain

 

[TMF]

Gawd, enough with the baiting, dude. What difference does it make what ethnicity of the linesperson other than to simply bait? Please explain

There's nothing wrong with my post. If it's bother you that's not my problem.

 

[heftylefty]

There's nothing wrong with my post. If it's bother you that's not my problem.

That's not a explanation....but thanks for playing.:?

 

[TMF]

That's not a explanation....but thanks for playing.:?

Confusing, isn't it? Yet, you're the only one who felt it has to do with baiting.:?

 

[heftylefty]

Confusing, isn't it? Yet, you're the only one who felt it has to do with baiting.:?

You are obsessed with the ethnicity of this particular linesperson. Why don't you mention the ethnicity of the tennis player? Oh wait, that's not how dog whistles work.

 

[TMF]

You are obsessed with the ethnicity of this particular linesperson. Why don't you mention the ethnicity of the tennis player? Oh wait, that's not how dog whistles work.

No, she was a line judge, not a tennis player(DRY).

It's just to describe person. Referring someone as asian, hispanic or irish is a problem? I can't believe you feel offended. But it's just you.

 

[heftylefty]

No, she was a line judge, not a tennis player(DRY).

It's just to describe person. Referring someone as asian, hispanic or irish is a problem? I can't believe you feel offended. But it's just you.

TMF, you are like a child that throw stones then hide his hands when caught. But this is not breaking news.

 

[Russeljones]

This is why I love her. She has principles.

 

[Surecatch]

Wow, I just saw the final against Stosur from last year's Open.... The yelling "Come on!" bit while a returnable ball was just about to be returned...

#1. What the hell was she thinking?
#2 How do you not know immediately that you stepped in it and just take your medicine like a man (or in this case, woman)?

I try to like Serena....I really do. She makes it very hard with the spoiled brat routine that never seems to be far away from bursting forth yet again.

 

[GS]

Yeah, she'll make millions in the fashion industry, live in Paris, and finally won't have to deal with all these whining Americans.

Sounds like a great retirement life to me.

No, she'll probably stay in Florida, since there's no state income tax there. That's probably why Navratilova stayed there, after bashing the U.S. government a few years ago and threatening to move back to the Czech Republic.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

TMF, you are like a child that throw stones then hide his hands when caught. But this is not breaking news.

quoted for truth. Everyone knows what game he's trying to play, and thankfully, no one with an ounce of sense buys it.

 

[obsessedtennisfandisorder]

my thoughts exactly...to hear the outrage in this thread, people make like serena strangled someone on court.

ah well, we know the reason for the outrage. people had less outrage for Rafa when he bumped an opponent on court.

but of course, that was, an acceptable act in the heat of the moment.

the serena hatorade continues.

let's look at the real issue here...

serena is arrogant and self-serving.

answer > probably...but so what, so were lendl, mac,connors 3* worse than serena, and in the woman's game...well..let's not get started on henin shall we? (AO2006).

yes serena did wrong..but she got her punishment(the default)

what i don't understand was the wish for FURTHER punishment..eg ban.

for a start..the so called "throat threat"

immediately after talking..she turned around and walked the other way...
..quite clear she wasn't going to carry out the threat.

in other sports..they look at a players history of assault.

in over 10 years and thousands of matches, serena had never assaulted anyone.

so the haters...fail on both counts...1 arrogance (so are other players)
2 further punishment....(um why)

i can youtube roddick ,soderling and hewitt going ballistic and won't get 1 % of the hate for serena.

serena is successful and arrogant and YOU can't handle it

 

[cluckcluck]

so the haters..fail on both counts...

I don't understand why people who defend her throw out this term (haters)? Nobody hates on anybody, hate is such a strong word anyway.

People aren't kissing her @ss and you can't handle that.
Get over yourself.

 

[obsessedtennisfandisorder]

I don't understand why people who defend her throw out this term (haters)? Nobody hates on anybody, hate is such a strong word anyway.

People aren't kissing her @ss and you can't handle that.
Get over yourself.

do you usually revert to semantics when u can't answer points?

just stick to topic...this thread is petty much proof of some hate out there.(although thankfully there are some rational posters in this thread too)

you don't have to like serena...noone said that, she's giving her opinion of the situation and people are free to disagre.....but this?

"Why is this racist classless entitled arrogant sorry excuse of a human being getting more press? She is just about the least sympathetic person in any sport. "

 

[cluckcluck]

do you usually revert to semantics when u can't answer points?

just stick to topic...this thread is petty much proof of some hate out there.(although thankfully there are some rational posters in this thread too)

I was asking a question as to why you were calling people who expressed their opinions on the subject as "hater"? Can't you stick to point?

 

[obsessedtennisfandisorder]

I was asking a question as to why you were calling people who expressed their opinions on the subject as "hater"? Can't you stick to point?

I already defined who the haters were,

the people that a) wanted extra punishment for serena
b) don't like her because she gives her opinion( sorry, "arrogant" to hater) and resent she's so successful (this is the key part).

you may or may not be in this group, don't know...

 

[Russeljones]

I don't understand why people who defend her throw out this term (haters)? Nobody hates on anybody, hate is such a strong word anyway.

People aren't kissing her @ss and you can't handle that.
Get over yourself.

People go out of their way to make abusive posts about Serena, I'd call that hate.

 

[motrengaw]

Without a doubt Serena is the best player on the women's tour. I wish I could root for her to win but her attitude and self absortion keep me from doing that. If you look at other great champions humility is a part of their makeup. This is what Serena is lacking

 

[r2473]

Without a doubt Serena is the best player on the women's tour. I wish I could root for her to win but her attitude and self absortion keep me from doing that. If you look at other great champions humility is a part of their makeup. This is what Serena is lacking

Uh, who do you have in mind specifically?

I would agree that other champions are better at portraying the humble fascade to the media that fans seem to want.

I have no problem with "arrogant" champions ("How arrogant of Federer")

 

[fed_rulz]

the serena hatorade continues.

let's look at the real issue here...

serena is arrogant and self-serving.

answer > probably...but so what, so were lendl, mac,connors 3* worse than serena, and in the woman's game...well..let's not get started on henin shall we? (AO2006).

yes serena did wrong..but she got her punishment(the default)

what i don't understand was the wish for FURTHER punishment..eg ban.

for a start..the so called "throat threat"

immediately after talking..she turned around and walked the other way...
..quite clear she wasn't going to carry out the threat.

in other sports..they look at a players history of assault.

in over 10 years and thousands of matches, serena had never assaulted anyone.

so the haters...fail on both counts...1 arrogance (so are other players)
2 further punishment....(um why)

i can youtube roddick ,soderling and hewitt going ballistic and won't get 1 % of the hate for serena.

serena is successful and arrogant and YOU can't handle it

nice try, but Serena did not get defaulted. Nalby got the default, for inadvertantly hurting the linesman. Serena got a slap on her wrist, for threatening to kill someone.

that's not even the issue here. it's her sense of entitlement that rubs people the wrong way -- "i don't foot fault, so i shouldn't be called for it". what sort of BS is that?

Do you agree with her latest statements? a simple yes or no would suffice!

 

[r2473]

that's not even the issue here. it's her sense of entitlement that rubs people the wrong way -- "i don't foot fault, so i shouldn't be called for it". what sort of BS is that?

Do you agree with her latest statements? a simple yes or no would suffice!

I think she foot faults quite often. Far more often than it is called.

I think the really tough part is the (perceived?) lack of consistency calling foot faults. As such, the timing of this one was dubious IMO.

If you are going to let it go most of the time (like Nadal and his time violations), then you can't just decide to call it 15-30 down, second serve, serving to stay in the match.

I mean, nobody takes out the stop watch on Nadal in this situation and calls him for a violation if he serves in 21 seconds. Sure, its "the rule", but it would be an absolutely ridiculous thing to do (and everyone knows it).

Just be consistent. Call it all the time, or don't call it at all. But don't just call it (seemingly) arbitrarily in a HUGE situation. That's enough to **** anyone off.

As far as Serena's attitude, I think she's an absolute b!tch. I wouldn't want to spend one second in her company. But that doesn't mean I need to see everything she does as evil or make fun of her body. She's a great champion. I can respect her tennis. I can respect her personality from the perspective that she is a fighter and competes hard. That is going to make her arrogant, no doubt. Most champions are arrogant.

Like I said, I don't really like her, but I can still sympathize with her perspective on this one. I can understand her being angry and agree that she stepped way over the line (pun intended).

 

[fed_rulz]

I think she foot faults quite often. Far more often than it is called.

I think the really tough part is the (perceived?) lack of consistency calling foot faults. As such, the timing of this one was dubious IMO.

If you are going to let it go most of the time (like Nadal and his time violations), then you can't just decide to call it 15-30 down, second serve, serving to stay in the match.

I mean, nobody takes out the stop watch on Nadal in this situation and calls him for a violation if he serves in 21 seconds. Sure, its "the rule", but it would be an absolutely ridiculous thing to do (and everyone knows it).

Just be consistent. Call it all the time, or don't call it at all. But don't just call it (seemingly) arbitrarily in a HUGE situation. That's enough to **** anyone off.

it's like saying the cop cannot ticket you for doing 55 in a 50 mph zone, just because the situation was HUGE (you were late for a meeting).

As woodrow pointed out, it's a line call, not a discretionary call like the time limit rule. And the ones not making the footfault call probably don't do it because they missed the footfault; not because they chose to turn the other way.

 

[TMF]

Uh, who do you have in mind specifically?

I would agree that other champions are better at portraying the humble fascade to the media that fans seem to want.

I have no problem with "arrogant" champions ("How arrogant of Federer")

But this thread is not about arrogant, but Serena's injustice by blaming on the Asian lady for her outburst. Line judges are just doing their job, it’s Serena’s fault for footfault. Til this day she can’t admit that she wrong, and what’s worse is she shamefully say it’s the Asian lady’s fault for doing her job(LOL). If Serena don’t want to go by the rule, then don’t play tennis, but don’t take the law into her own hands.

 

[r2473]

it's like saying the cop cannot ticket you for doing 55 in a 50 mph zone, just because the situation was HUGE (you were late for a meeting).

As woodrow pointed out, it's a line call, not a discretionary call like the time limit rule. And the ones not making the footfault call probably don't do it because they missed the footfault; not because they chose to turn the other way.

Of course a cop can ticket you for doing 51 (or 55) in a 50. But it doesn't happen most of the time these days. Cops see people speeding all the time and don't write tickets. So when they do write a ticket (after ignoring it every other day) most of us are angry. We don't like this lack of consistency.

As far as how foot faults are actually called, I don't agree with what you say. There are players on both tours that have / had motions that lend themselves to foot faults. Lots of players are "right on the line" when they serve. Probably many of these times they actually touch the line. In almost all these instances, the foot fault is not called. So this is the expectation that is set in these players minds.

So when they do the same thing and execute the same service motion today as they have for years past, but today they get called for a foot fault "once i a while", the player is angry. We've seen if from Safin. Roddick. Hewitt. Many others.

So here you just get to decide for yourself. Is better to be consistent? Or is it better to call the foot fault today, at 15-30 serving to stay in the match, a foot fault that has been "overlooked" (not seen, missed, whatever you want to say) because you didn't miss / overlook / not see it this time. That's fine. You have the "black and white letter of the law" at your defense.

Personally, I favor consistency in calls and rulings. You create expectations and players adapt. Nobody likes surprises.

As I said, I think Serena technically foot faults quite often. If it would be called all the time, she'd change. But to call it "once in a while"? I don't know if I agree with that.

So, it appears we simply disagree. No big deal. Its allowed.

 

[fed_rulz]

Of course a cop can ticket you for doing 51 (or 55) in a 50. But it doesn't happen most of the time these days. Cops see people speeding all the time and don't write tickets. So when they do write a ticket (after ignoring it every other day) most of us are angry. We don't like this lack of consistency.

As far as how foot faults are actually called, I don't agree with what you say. There are players on both tours that have / had motions that lend themselves to foot faults. Lots of players are "right on the line" when they serve. Probably many of these times they actually touch the line. In almost all these instances, the foot fault is not called. So this is the expectation that is set in these players minds.

So when they do the same thing and execute the same service motion today as they have for years past, but today they get called for a foot fault "once i a while", the player is angry. We've seen if from Safin. Roddick. Hewitt. Many others.

So here you just get to decide for yourself. Is better to be consistent? Or is it better to call the foot fault today, at 15-30 serving to stay in the match, a foot fault that has been "overlooked" (not seen, missed, whatever you want to say) because you didn't miss / overlook / not see it this time. That's fine. You have the "black and white letter of the law" at your defense.

Personally, I favor consistency in calls and rulings. You create expectations and players adapt. Nobody likes surprises.

As I said, I think Serena technically foot faults quite often. If it would be called all the time, she'd change. But to call it "once in a while"? I don't know if I agree with that.

So, it appears we simply disagree. No big deal. Its allowed.

angry at a cop?? that's pretty rich . hey, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

as a player, it's your duty to adhere to the rules. if some of them don't get enforced, then you just count that as your lucky day and move on.

you break the rules, be prepared for it to bite your *** some day.

 

[r2473]

But this thread is not about arrogant,

I can appreciate that you enjoy quoting out of context to stir up the pot. It can be funny sometimes. Gets a rise of of folks. Helps pass the time.

Don't worry, you'll grow out of it one day.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

If line judges are pardoning foot faults, they should be sacked.

 

[r2473]

angry at a cop?? that's pretty rich . hey, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

as a player, it's your duty to adhere to the rules. if some of them don't get enforced, then you just count that as your lucky day and move on.

you break the rules, be prepared for it to bite your *** some day.

Sure. People in the spotlight need to do the "Bill Clinton". No matter what they actually think, they need to admit that they were wrong, ask for forgiveness, and move on. Anytime someone does this, the public forgives them. Serena is just stubborn and proud you might say. She refuses to swallow her pride.

Maybe she should read Shakespeare's Coriolanus. I don't know.

 

[fed_rulz]

Sure. People in the spotlight need to do the "Bill Clinton". No matter what they actually think, they need to admit that they were wrong, ask for forgiveness, and move on. Anytime someone does this, the public forgives them. Serena is just stubborn and proud you might say. She refuses to swallow her pride.

Maybe she should read Shakespeare's Coriolanus. I don't know.

not too much to ask, if they were on the wrong side of the rules, is it?

 

[r2473]

not too much to ask, if they were on the wrong side of the rules, is it?

No, the public seems to enjoy it.

She just needs her publicist to craft a smorgasbord of "apologies" for any occasion. Ones that have been tested in marketing groups.

Then she needs to practice her "heart felt" apology voice and demeanor. I'm sure she could get the schtick down if she wanted to.

Just not her style I guess.

 

[DRII]

it's like saying the cop cannot ticket you for doing 55 in a 50 mph zone, just because the situation was HUGE (you were late for a meeting).

As woodrow pointed out, it's a line call, not a discretionary call like the time limit rule. And the ones not making the footfault call probably don't do it because they missed the footfault; not because they chose to turn the other way.

weak retort!

A cop would not stop and ticket someone for going 5 mph over; because the traffic court judge would laugh and reprimand the cop out of the court room!

There is such a thing as discretion. If every person in a position to enforce rules went by the strictest definition of the rules, life would be thwarted by technicalities all the time!

I'm not absolving Serena's tirade, but line judges should take into account the occasion of the moment. It should have been more than clear to call a foot fault at such an important point.

 

[fed_rulz]

weak retort!

A cop would not stop and ticket someone for going 5 mph over; because the traffic court judge would laugh and reprimand the cop out of the court room!

There is such a thing as discretion. If every person in a position to enforce rules went by the strictest definition of the rules, life would be thwarted by technicalities all the time!

I'm not absolving Serena's tirade, but line judges should take into account the occasion of the moment. It should have been more than clear to call a foot fault at such an important point.

you have no proof of it. More evidence that you just make up stories to suit your argument.

 

[rommil]

I'm not absolving Serena's tirade, but line judges should take into account the occasion of the moment. It should have been more than clear to call a foot fault at such an important point.

That linesperson was looking at the line and Serena's foot, not from a video. A footfault is a footfault, regardless if it's Serena's birthday or your time of the month.

 

[TMF]

I'm not absolving Serena's tirade, but line judges should take into account the occasion of the moment. It should have been more than clear to call a foot fault at such an important point.

NO. If she see a footfault at any situation, she should call it without hesitation, plain and simple. There's nothing complicated about it.

 

[TMF]

That linesperson was looking at the line and Serena's foot, not from a video. A footfault is a footfault, regardless if it's Serena's birthday or your time of the month.

Yeah, that's like saying don't call fault on my first serve because it happen to be at match point. There's no special situation/treatment, rules are apply the same throughout the match.

 

[DRII]

Yeah, that's like saying don't call fault on my first serve because it happen to be at match point. There's no special situation/treatment, rules are apply the same throughout the match.

Hey, Naive one...

rules are not applied the same through out a match. Unless you're blind you would realize that!

There is discretion and judgement on the part of officials; and many times they are wrong!

Hawkeye, and other such systems, demonstrably prove this...

 

[DRII]

you have no proof of it. More evidence that you just make up stories to suit your argument.

Beeotch, ask if anyone has ever gotten a ticket for going 1 mph over the posted speed limit. The answer is no one! At least in a rational, law and order society with something approaching fair court system.

Your neck of the woods may not count as such!

And I have witnessed an example of a cop issuing a ticket for 9 mph over the limit and the judge reprimanding him and dismissing the ticket...

 

[fed_rulz]

Beeotch, ask if anyone has ever gotten a ticket for going 1 mph over the posted speed limit. The answer is no one! At least in a rational, law and order society with something approaching fair court system.

Your neck of the woods may not count as such!

And I have witnessed an example of a cop issuing a ticket for 9 mph over the limit and the judge reprimanding him and dismissing the ticket...

yes, more stories out of your ***. keep it coming.

 

[TMF]

Hey, Naive one...

rules are not applied the same through out a match. Unless you're blind you would realize that!

There is discretion and judgement on the part of officials; and many times they are wrong!

Hawkeye, and other such systems, demonstrably prove this...

But such judgement on footfault or a serve has no bearing on discretion. Either you step over the line or you didn't, or the serve was in or out. There's no grey area. People like you would never qualify to be an officical.