Serena apologizes for match-ending outburst

Serena Williams apologized Monday 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.

One day after issuing a statement in which she did not offer apologies for Saturday’s incident, the 11-time Grand Slam champion offered up an amendment to her comments with another statement, this one containing an apology to many.

“I want to amend my press statement of yesterday and want to make it clear as possible - I want to sincerely apologize first to the lineswoman, Kim Clijsters, the US Tennis Association and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst,” Williams said.

“I’m a woman of great pride, faith and integrity and I admit when I’m wrong. I need to make it clear to all young people that 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.

“I like to lead by example. We all learn from experiences both good and bad. I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result.”

Williams was fined 10,500 dollars on Sunday for her angry outburst, a meltdown that remains under investigation by the Grand Slam Committee and could lead to greater fines and even suspension from Grand Slam events.

Bill Babcock, executive director of the International Tennis Federation and a member of the Slam administrative committee, said Monday that it will be at least several weeks before the results of their probe are known.

“It’s a legal process so there’s time for notice, so there are weeks if not more,” he said.

“There can be suspensions from Grand Slams and fines of up to 250,000 dollars or more.”

NEW YORK, AFP