BTW, Regarding Serena William’s foot fault ( a seldom called violation ). Here are the rules for those interested :
The server must stand behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline.
A ‘foot fault’ is called if any of the following happens before the ball is struck:
# The feet touch the ground inside the baseline
# The feet touch the wrong side of the centre mark OR
# The feet touch the wrong side of the imaginary extension of the sideline.
A foot fault is the same as a fault on a serve so the player is given the chance of a second serve.
According to the BBC, IT WAS A FOOT FAULT.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A57048735
I´ve seen some posters questioning the line judges call on Serena’s footfault. But is was very clear that it was in the replay. She stepped firmly on the line and part of the foot was inside the baseline before hitting the ball
This was her second of the match.
It was really unfortunate, she still had a chance to turn the match (though her outburst showed that she had lost it emotionally anyway).
Kim was the better player until that point though and was growing in confidence with every point. And it was a great match to watch ... except for the sorry ending.
One can measure character and virtue from the behavior of those playing the sports. Kim had virtue. Serena lacked virtue.
Serena wanted to win at any cost. Kim felt cheated even when declared the winner, because she didn’t win for her excellence.
One of the first lessons of sportsmanship is never to rejoice in winning by the loss of an opponent, but only by one’s accomplishment.
Had Serena held that thinking, she wouldn’t have reacted to the line fault by attacking the judge, but by thanking the judge, working to improve her own game, and thankful she might not have won the play by an illegitimate serve.
You provided a link about the foot fault rule - but did you read it first?
Your link says:
“The server must stand behind the baseline, between the centre mark and the sideline.
A ‘foot fault’ is called if any of the following happens before the ball is struck:
# The feet touch the ground inside the baseline
# The feet touch the wrong side of the centre mark OR
# The feet touch the wrong side of the imaginary extension of the sideline.
A foot fault is the same as a fault on a serve so the player is given the chance of a second serve.”
?? It says “inside the baseline, not “on” the baseline. That;s a bit odd. It should mention “touching” the baseline, but it doesn’t. And no mention of “flagrant” either.