Serena Williams Adds a Doubles Title and an Apology

Serena and Venus Williams captured their 10th Grand Slam doubles title with a victory over the top-seeded team Monday.
Serena Williams returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday for the first time since her verbal assault of a line judge Saturday night, and finally apologized for her actions.
Williams issued a statement of apology on her Web site before she and her sister Venus defeated Cara Black and Liezel Huber, 6-2, 6-2, to win their 10th Grand Slam doubles title.

Serena Williams said she did not remember what she had said to the line judge during her singles semifinal match against Kim Clijsters. She did, however, apologize to the lineswoman, to Clijsters, to the United States Tennis Association and to the fans.

Williams said she wanted to apologize directly to the lineswoman, but said she did not know how to locate her. “I would like to give her a big old hug,” Williams said.

Williams received the maximum on-site fine, $10,000, for unsportsmanlike conduct, for using threatening language and gestures at the line judge. She was also fined $500 for racket abuse.

She could face additional penalties, including a fine equal to the money she earned at the United States Open ($350,000 for singles and $210,000 for doubles), and a possible suspension from a Grand Slam event.

Bill Babcock, the International Tennis Federation’s executive director for Grand Slam tournaments, has begun an investigation into the incident. There is precedent for suspending Williams from a Grand Slam. In 1995, Jeff Tarango walked off the court at Wimbledon in the middle of a match in protest of a call. He was suspended for the 1996 Wimbledon.

But there could be considerable pressure on the Grand Slam Committee and Babcock, its administrator, to avoid a ban.

No player receives television ratings as consistently high as Serena Williams does; she is immensely popular at the Open and is often a featured player in prime-time matches throughout the two-week tournament.

“Serena’s a great champion,” said Jim Curley, the United States Open tournament director. “She’s one of the most recognized female athletes ever. You always hate to see a marquee player not participating in the U.S. Open for whatever reason, whether it’s injury or what have you. We always want to have all the marquee players here. Sometimes that’s not possible.”