Advertisement

A Shout, An Umpire's Call And Another Outburst

04:46
Download Audio
Resume
Serena Williams gestures while talking to the chair umpire Eva Asderakiduring the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday. (AP)
Serena Williams gestures while talking to chair umpire Eva Asderaki during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on Sunday. (AP)

It got ugly in the second set of the Women's final at the US Open yesterday. The favorite, Serena Williams, was down a set and facing break point against Sam Stosur, when Williams yelled "come on" after she hit a hard shot that Stosur scrambled to reach.

The umpire, Eva Asderaki, ruled that because Williams shouted before the point was over, Williams had intentionally tried to distract her opponent and the umpire awarded a point to Stosur.

CBS commentators and others questioned whether the umpire's call was too harsh, and whether the point should have been re-played, instead of given to Stosur.

Williams was not happy with the call and she let Asderaki know between sets — accusing the umpire of being "out of control" and "a hater."

Williams ended up losing the match in straight sets and declined to shake the umpire's hand afterwards.

Sunday's events brought back memories of the 2009 US Open semi-finals when Williams' verbal tirade against a line judge got her disqualified, giving the match to her opponent.

Guest:

  • George Vecsey, New York Times

This segment aired on September 12, 2011.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close