Tennis star Serena Williams has been fined $10,000 for an extraordinary breach of form on court at the US Open, when she exploded in a rant against a line umpire.

Williams was bounced off court for her breach, causing her to forfeit the semi-final match by way of a match point to comeback wonder Kim Clijsters. Williams was called on a foot fault just as Clijsters was on the verge of taking out the match, which she won 6-4, 7-5.

Williams, 27, afterward was evasive speaking to reporters, avoiding any discussion of what she actually said when she realised that it had not been recorded. She shrugged and told them that it was not the New York weather – which she called “cold” – and that she was “moving on”.

What Williams actually said was not officially known but the fact that the umpire felt threatened by her comments was discussed. She was heard at one point on TV footage denying that she threatened to “kill” the woman.

Williams in a statement said: “Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that, while I don’t agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human and I look forward to continuing the journey, both professionally and personally, with you all as I move forward and grow from this experience.”

WTA Tour chief Stacey Allaster said Williams’s conduct was both “inappropriate and unprofessional”.

Source: Splash News