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Williams is finally sorry for US Open outburst
The American is privately regretful, according to sources – was a miniscule $2,000 fine the trigger?
DESPITE initially failing to apologise for her furious rant at an umpire in the US Open final, American tennis star Serena Williams is now repentant, according to gossip site TMZ.
Williams has received widespread criticism for calling official Eva Asderaki a "hater" and "unattractive inside" after being penalised a point for international verbal hindrance during play in the tournament's final on Sunday. "If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way, because you're out of control," she told the umpire.
After her defeat Williams refused to shake Asderaki's hand and remained bullish when answering questions in the subsequent press conference. Asked if top-level athletes should treat officials with respect, she replied elusively: "I don't know... Everyone lives to be in the final of Wimbledon or the final at the US Open. Whatever happens in that moment, you live for them and we breathe for them, and hopefully I'll be back for them."
Two days after losing 6-2 6-3 to Australia's Sam Stosur, however, Serena is now apparently regretting the outburst. TMZ said "sources extremely close to Serena" have told the website how Williams "feels like she got lost in the heat of the moment – and simply believes her emotions got the better of her".
Perhaps her new-found penitence is a result of only being punished with a $2,000 fine for her behaviour – less than 0.15 per cent of the total $1.4m winnings Williams took from the tournament. She has also avoided a Grand Slam ban.
The US Tennis Association explained the decision in a statement: "The Grand Slam committee director has determined that Ms Williams' conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct." ·
