Serena Loses Her Mind, the Match, and Our Respect

Down 6-4, 6-5 in a semifinal match against Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams simultaneously lost her mind and the match.

Her explosion was so egregious that I can hardly believe this article, condemning her shameful conduct, is even necessary. It just does not seem possible for anyone to reasonably come to the defense of Serena in this case.

Yet, when I read other articles about this incident and the accompanying comments, I notice there are many who either shrug this off as “no big deal” and others who even applaud Serena for it.

Before I needlessly explain why there is no defense for Serena's actions, let me summarize this wonderful storyline.

Serving at 15-30, Williams was called for a foot-fault. This is when something snapped within her mind and the horrifying show began. Serena begins cursing at the lineswoman, dropping F-bombs here, there, and everywhere. At this point, I'm on board with the “that's no big deal” crowd.

Sadly, that was merely a prelude. Serena then walked towards the lineswoman, ball in one hand, violently shaking her racket in the other, saying “You don't know me. You better be [expletive] right. I could shove this ball down your [expletive] throat.”

Okay, so was it the correct call? Replays were inconclusive, but let's assume it was the wrong call.

Funny thing is, that does not matter. What Serena shouted and how she did so cannot be acceptable in any circumstance. Threatening to shove a ball down another human being's throat? Are some people really defending this?

Some would also like to file this eruption under the title of “Moment of passion.” That would apply if not for the post-match press conference in which Serena showed no remorse and offered no apology even when prodded. Instead, when asked whether she should apologize to the lineswoman, Serena flippantly answered, “Apology for what?”.

Outbursts in the moment, though cringe-worthy, are occurrences that fans and reasonable people can accept from time to time. The adrenaline of the moment and the instantaneous reaction without thought are things we can either relate to or at least try to understand.

But instead, what we have here is an ugly event followed by an even uglier denial of guilt. There is zero defense for it.

Ironically, I recently came across an article titled “Serena learns when to bring out her nasty side”. Yeah, I doubt it.