Serena Williams apologised last night for the abusive and threatening tirade she launched at a line judge in a semi-final loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters at the US Open.
Serena Williams apologised last night for the abusive and threatening tirade she launched at a line judge in a semi-final loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters at the US Open.
But the 11-time Grand Slam champion's actions, which have already brought fines of US $10,500, remain under investigation by the Grand Slam Committee and could result in greater fines or suspension from future Grand Slam events.
"I really wanted to apologise sincerely," Williams said.u00a0u00a0
"I think the lady was doing the best she could. She was just trying to do her job.
"I would like to give her a big old hug and put it behind us."
Humbling
Williams called Saturday's outburst and the controversy that has swirled around it a humbling experience.
"It definitely is," Williams said. "If it wasn't I don't think I could learn from the past."
One day after issuing a statement in which she admitted she "let my passion and emotion get the best of me" and "handled the situation poorly" but did not apologise for the incident, Williams released an apology.
"I want to sincerely apologise first to the lineswoman, Kim Clijsters, the US Tennis Association and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst," the statement said in part.
"I handled myself inappropriately and it's not the way to act win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner. We all learn from experiences both good and bad. I will learn and grow from this."
Williams and sister Venus won the women's doubles crown late last night, defeating Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-2, 6-2 in the final. Fans cheered the US duo but booed when award ceremony host Patrick McEnroe tried to ask Williams about her apology.
Let's move on
"What I think the crowd is saying, Patrick, is 'Let's move on'," Venus said.
That could be easier said than done with a Slam suspension possible from the continuing probe and the possible loss of Slam prize money. Serena won US $350,000 from her singles run and shared 420,000 more from doubles.
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