Over this past weekend Serena Williams was effectively kicked out of the US Open for yelling at an official. The tiny woman above (who is showing remarkably little fear despite being threatened by a woman who appears to be 2 if not 3 times her size) called a foot fault on Serena Williams on match point in her semi-final bout against eventual champion Kim Clijsters. Had she accepted the fault she would have had the opportunity to serve again, however her behavior earned her a single point penalty, and because of the situation cost her the match. Here is the event in its entirety (or should I say eternity, it starts around the 50 second mark):The greatest irony of all is that Johnny Mac is commentating on the whole thing. The biggest jerk in tennis history, has to admonish actions that seem almost good-natured compared to the events that make up his resume. Serena of course apologized for her actions; She was so broken up about it that she proceeded to win doubles championship with sister Serena and presented at the MTV VMA's (poor kid, she's really taking it hard).
In the immediate aftermath of the event, commentators questioned whether or not Serena was permanantly tarnishing her legacy by acting so infantile. She need not look any further than Johnny himself for the answer to that question. He was the the ultimate bad-boy, and we still have no trouble remembering him for his tennis skill. In fact, he has parlayed that reputation of mis-behavior into a career as a faux-celebrity. He makes commercials, movies, and tv shows, all based on his explosive personality.
Everyone was upset about Brett Favre again this year, but because he is has been so great and loved over the course of his entire career, it doesn't really matter in the long run what he does. He will be remembered as a football player. In fact, he is even featured in a new sears commercial that pokes fun at his inability to make decisions. All you have to do is make one light hearted reference to the event, and you are in the clear. As soon as Serena wins another major, and we all love her again, this whole thing will have gone away. I give it one year before we are seeing commercials for tennis balls featuring Serena Williams that not only make reference to, but capitalize on this event, "Wilson are the only tennis balls I would every shove down your $%#&ing throat."
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As a spectator of the event, i would have to say that I was definitely not Serena's finest hour, as soon as the match ended the small lineswoman was escorted or rather she was rushed off the court for rumors of Serena "meeting her in the parking lot".
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