Posted on 10/07/2009 9:29:22 PM PDT by kingattax
MELBOURNE: World number one tennis champ Serena Williams could be stripped of her right to play in the Australian Open in 2010 for baring all for the sports magazine ESPN and for her extraordinary outburst in the US Open semi-finals.
Williams is under an International Tennis Federation investigation and faces a ban of up to two grand slams under the sport's code of conduct, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Enraged by a foot fault call, Williams threatened the baseline judge with: "You don't know me. You better be right. I swear to God I'm going to take this ball and shove it down your throat."
The lineswoman is believed to have alleged Williams threatened to kill her.
Williams was fined the maximum of $11,300 by on-site authorities after twice breaching code of conduct regulations in a clash with eventual champion Kim Clijsters, of Belgium.
The ITF have the power to strip Williams of more than $500,000 in prize money and impose a ban.
The threat to Williams comes as she bared all and posed nude for the front cover of ESPN Magazine.
If Williams's tirade is deemed a "major offence" under the sport's regulations, she could be the first player since American Jeff Tarango to be banned from a grand slam in 15 years.
Tarango stormed off court at Wimbledon in 1995 after disagreeing with a line call during a third-round match with German Alexander Mronz. The American accused French umpire Bruno Rebeuh of being corrupt. Tarango was barred from two grand slams, including Wimbledon the next year.
It is understood Williams will be given the chance to defend herself in person, but some believe her initial lack of remorse could count against her. If suspended, she could appeal to an independent tribunal.
Does ESPN Magazine do porn?
This woman is not attractive to me.
I don’t know why... She doesn’t look natural, lacks femininity. I think she’s gross.
I have never seen the mag, and will make every effort to avoid it.
Gee, I can’t wait for the “This Thread is Useless w/o Pics” crowd. [/sarc]
Why on EARTH would she do this?
She really shouldn’t have done this. Before this summer I thought that Serena and her sister were nice religious girls that weren’t overtly political since they were Jehovah’s witnesses. You never saw them campaigning for Obama during the campaign and I respected them for that.
With Serena’s foul language and posing nude, I have to say I am very disappointed in her behavior as of late.
I think she’s got problems beyond the tennis court. She seems to be getting a little ‘Brittany before medication’ crazy.
The picture isn’t porn.
I can’t imagine the photo will have any impact on anything related to her punishment from the tennis authorities.
Tennis is not a beauty contest....ESPN decided on nude “she agreed” She is a sexy athelte to some.’’’’’’’Make a better point Kingattax
haven’t there been rumors about her “orientation”?....yeah, that’s right ....her “orientation”.
why? for cryin’ out loud look at her! what the hell is the mystery?
>>> The lineswoman is believed to have alleged Williams threatened to kill her. <<<
That’s clearly stated.
I was on beach at Amelia Island about 1999 and she jogged by.
Scary looking. That picture is highly enhanced. Her sister is not quite as scary looking.
I did NOT need to see that.
She is kinda Phat to be posing nude, isn’t she?
Women have vibrators, men have the air brush.
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