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.
Oh, dear God... no pics, please!!!
That verbal outburst will be the more plausible reason for the ITF officials banning her for the 2010 Australian Open. But the ITF may back down under pressure from Australian Open officials and definitely from Nike, who has a lucrative sponsorship deal with her.
The Body Issue? That’s what it’s come down to for ESPN?
HELLO, she’s black, she has a pass.
Attention?
NUDE??/ OMG!! Kennel Club material.
LOL!!
The old guy with the metal detector probably had a hit on her steel balls...
all creased up and ready to go....
hot/not= irrelevant, why do these people feel the need to be naked out in the public?
Enormous derrieres, thunder thighs and "toned" bare arms are all the latest dish. Exaggerated lip gloss is fading out a little, only to be replaced by highly-oiled bodies.
Michelle's skin was noticeably lubricated on her DC anniversary dinner date with her husband recently....and the Williams body pictured above also has the high-oil rub.
Leni
Do you supposed grown-ups have any idea how truly small and childish your posts make you look?
how do they keep from staining their clothes? i can’t put on hand cream without the fear of getting some oily spot on what i am wearing!
She looks like one of those glass birds with the bulb on the bottom. They were set on a frame and would ever so slowly go back and forth until they dipped their beak into a container of water.
“Does ESPN Magazine do porn?”
Not very well, apparently.
I agree.. she seems so manly.
Got me. It must be some non-stain magic skin formula manufactured by the Valvoline Company.
Leni
I prefer the Heroin Sheik look ...
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