Topaz
Legend
^^^Aw crap, should say 'sequence'. Really, I can spell, just not so much with the typing.
In reading all of these threads (ok, not all of them, I don't have that kind of time), it is apparent many didn't actually see what happened, and/or didn't know the events prior that led up to Serena's default.
So, here it is:
1. Earlier in the tournament (I believe during a doubles match) Serena was called on FF. After one, she decided to stare down the line judge who called it, glaring at them for a good long time. She continues to FF and get called on it.
1a. Serena is called for a FF during first set, by a different linesperson than in the 'incident'.
2. After first set, Serena smashes her racquet, receives a code violation.
3. At 15-30 Serena hits her first serve and it is a fault. The second serve she FFs.
4. Score is now 15-40. THIS IS AFTER THE FF. Serena could have just did her glaring, and then step up and serve (it isn't like she can't serve herself out of trouble).
5. Serena has tirade #1 toward line judge. Has a bit of a tantrum. You can even hear, in the replays, the chair ump saying 'Serena' to calm her down.
6. Serena walks back to baseline, looking like she's going to serve.
7. Then she changes her mind, and walks back to mouth off to the line judge *again*.
8. At this point, the chair ump asks the line judge to tell her what was said.
9. Referee is called, Serena is assessed another code violation, which results in a point penalty. Game, set, match to Clijsters.
So, a couple of important things here:
*Serena's FF did not cost her the match.
*Serena's behavior did cost her the match.
*Serena knew she'd been FFing earlier in the tournament.
These are all *facts*. Not in dispute.
Now, I'm curious as to why she walked back and mouthed off a second time. That is what really cost her IMO. It almost seemed like she wanted to see what would happen, and wanted to push. Or, she knew she was getting out played and wanted to further throw Kim off during match point.
Any of that, of course, is conjecture.
The real shame, IMO, is that it was a very good match up until then. It won't be remembered for the high quality and beautiful ball striking and movement, but instead for Serena's behavior.
IMO, what happened was right. She broke the rules (code of conduct) and paid the penalty.
In reading all of these threads (ok, not all of them, I don't have that kind of time), it is apparent many didn't actually see what happened, and/or didn't know the events prior that led up to Serena's default.
So, here it is:
1. Earlier in the tournament (I believe during a doubles match) Serena was called on FF. After one, she decided to stare down the line judge who called it, glaring at them for a good long time. She continues to FF and get called on it.
1a. Serena is called for a FF during first set, by a different linesperson than in the 'incident'.
2. After first set, Serena smashes her racquet, receives a code violation.
3. At 15-30 Serena hits her first serve and it is a fault. The second serve she FFs.
4. Score is now 15-40. THIS IS AFTER THE FF. Serena could have just did her glaring, and then step up and serve (it isn't like she can't serve herself out of trouble).
5. Serena has tirade #1 toward line judge. Has a bit of a tantrum. You can even hear, in the replays, the chair ump saying 'Serena' to calm her down.
6. Serena walks back to baseline, looking like she's going to serve.
7. Then she changes her mind, and walks back to mouth off to the line judge *again*.
8. At this point, the chair ump asks the line judge to tell her what was said.
9. Referee is called, Serena is assessed another code violation, which results in a point penalty. Game, set, match to Clijsters.
So, a couple of important things here:
*Serena's FF did not cost her the match.
*Serena's behavior did cost her the match.
*Serena knew she'd been FFing earlier in the tournament.
These are all *facts*. Not in dispute.
Now, I'm curious as to why she walked back and mouthed off a second time. That is what really cost her IMO. It almost seemed like she wanted to see what would happen, and wanted to push. Or, she knew she was getting out played and wanted to further throw Kim off during match point.
Any of that, of course, is conjecture.
The real shame, IMO, is that it was a very good match up until then. It won't be remembered for the high quality and beautiful ball striking and movement, but instead for Serena's behavior.
IMO, what happened was right. She broke the rules (code of conduct) and paid the penalty.
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