Serena Williams was fined $82,500 for that US Open incident a few months ago. Williams was hit with the largest fine in the history of professional tennis. She was also placed on a two year probation. If she is involved in similar behavior at any major tournament in the next two years she faces suspension from the US Open and a fine of $175,000.
The fine isn't what concerns me here. The probation is what I have a problem with. I understand a need to conduct the game in a professional manner. It's a global product that needs to have a positive image. Organizations have to have it that way. I believe that you fine and move on.
For Williams, every future circumstance will be different from what happened at the US Open. When Serena disagrees with something now, every piece of what she says will be scrutinized above and beyond what it was in the past. She's is being told not to argue calls, not to question 'authority', and to keep her mouth shut for two years.
I don't think that you should take a players ability to question away. The officials and others are people who can influence the game if they see fit. Tennis isn't baseball. The players argue. Connors and McEnroe argued and cursed more than any pair in tennis. When they disagreed they questioned, and when they didn't get the answers they were looking for they yelled,screamed,and threw expletives like left hooks. Serena isn't different and shouldn't be treated different than Connors and J-Mac.
I hope that she will appeal the decision and seek a way around the probation.
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