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This past Saturday evening, on a second serve at 15-30, 5-6 in the second set at the U.S. Open semifinals, Serena Williams was called for a foot fault by the line judge. Based upon the judges call, Ms. Williams walked towards the judge, pointed her racquet at the judge and launched into an “f-bomb” laden tie raid saying in part, “If I could, I would take this @#$#ing ball and shove it down your @#$#ing throat…"
This exchange resulted in Ms. Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct. This penalty resulted in the match being awarded to her opponent, Kim Clijsters. Some are now questioning the chair umpire and tournament referee Brian Earley’s decision. With Ms. Williams being African American, many are crying foul based on race. Others are objecting to what some believe to be a ticky-tack call, especially at such a key point in a match.
First, the rule. According to The Rules of Tennis - Rule 8. b. “The Server shall throughout the delivery of the Service:…Not touch, with either foot, any area other than that behind the base-line within the imaginary extensions of the centre-mark and side-lines….If either foot touches the Court, including the baseline, or the imaginary extension of a line specified in Rule 8b. after his feet are at rest but before he strikes the ball, he has committed a foot fault.”
After her initial outburst Ms. Williams then said, “You better @#$#ing be right." Well, after viewing the video tape and reading Rule 8.b., the line judge was @#$#ing right. Ms. Williams was wrong for what she said, the manner in which it was said, and for trying to blame “the heat of the moment” for her reaction. Once Ms. Williams allowed her anger to go from questioning the call to making the verbal attack personal, the umpire did the right thing. Point awarded to Ms. Clijsters, match over.
There is not another major sport that would allow a player to verbally abuse an official to the degree to which Ms. Williams abused the line judge. In baseball, basketball, hockey, football, and soccer, there is a clear line of demarcation between player and official. In any other major sport, when the player crosses that line the officials throw the player out of the game and in some sports such as basketball award a free-throw attempt to the opposing team. Also, the sanctioning body would impose a fine if not suspend the player for a period of time.
Ms. Williams foot touched the baseline before she struck the ball; that by definition is a foot fault! Race has nothing to do with that fact. Now, should the line judge have called that fault at such a key point in the match? The answer to that question is subjective and obviously the line judge did not get the memo that she should not.
At the end of all of this what do we want our children to understand? We want them to understand that no matter how good they are or how successful they become; they must always play by the rules. We want them to understand that what you say and how you say things can have a great impact on your life. Tenor, tone, and delivery are very important. When trying to assess why a circumstance has not gone your way, look at your actions first to be sure that you are not at fault; then look at race. Also, when you allow your emotions to control your actions you will usually wind up wishing you had not.
Dr. Wilmer Leon is the Producer/ Host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “On With Leon,” and a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com.
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