Serena Williams was fined a record US$82,500 for her tirade at a U.S. Open line judge and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another “major offence” at any Grand Slam in the next two years.
Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock’s ruling was released Monday, and he said Williams faces a “probationary period” at tennis’ four major championships in 2010 and 2011.
Williams lashed out at a lineswoman after a foot-fault call at the end of her semifinal loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open in September. Williams is an 11-time Grand Slam singles champion and ended the 2009 season at No. 1 in WTA rankings.