Comments on: Love may mean nothing in tennis, but hate will cost you at least 10 G’s.

By: ParentopiaDevra

ParentopiaDevra — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:33:25 +0000

I think a lot of the gasping has more to do wtih the increase in technology than the outrageousness of the behavior. When Jimmy and John were having their tantrums, YouTube didn’t exist, no one was tweeting about it, and certainly there weren’t any all sports networks on the television covering it every 5 minutes in recaps and bloggers weren’t even around.

So while the boys were given fines for their ridiculous outbursts, just as Serena experienced, their behavior did not have the “long tail” as once it was reported on the evening news, and possibly mentioned during a drive-time radio show, that was about it.

I think the standards of conduct have remained consistent in Tennis, everyone is fined or penalized for it, but it’s the way the situation is now covered by both mainstream media and citizens which has changed and the result is more people find out about it and can discuss it more often for a longer period of time. So it gives the appearance that more people are horrified now, but really I think it was fewer people had access to what was going on prior to the technological advancements in television and the Internet.

By: lorihc

lorihc — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:10:29 +0000

I agree that the fine should have been larger, and two thumbs way up for your parenting skillz. YOU’RE my role model, Devra. I do wonder, however, whether we’re more inclined to come down on Serena for her bad behavior because (a) it capped a week of inappropriate and incredibly rude behavior (I’m looking particularly at you, Congressman Joe Wilson), and (b) she’s a woman? As mentioned in the post, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe were guilty of similar behavior in their day, and it was treated as either amusing or annoying. It wasn’t met with the collective gasp that Serena’s outburst was. As I said above, I think the fine was too small, but I sure do wish that the standard of conduct were the same for everyone, on every court.

Also, I agree with Sarah: awesome title.

By: ParentopiaDevra

ParentopiaDevra — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:50:34 +0000

I think a “fine” that is less than 10% of the earnings of the tournament is a mockery of being a penalty. In soccer if a player gets a “Red Card” they are ejected from that game and suspended from playing in the next following game. Seems Tennis may need something similar.

I read that the lineswoman was truly shaken by the confrontation. Serena Williams is not a teenager, she is a 27 year old seasoned Tennis professional and I don’t really buy her defense of “I’m just an emotional person.” Well, if you are an almost 30 year old woman and you can’t control yourself while you are at work, then get your ass into therapy. She should be required to take some anger management classes at the very least.

By: Michele Erbacher

Michele Erbacher — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:36:05 +0000

I think her penalty is not enough. I understand there is an investigation underway. I hope when they watch the tirade(s) again, they will not only notice the repeated vulgarities, but also the threatening body language and actions. This wasn’t an angry outburst, I am so tired of hearing that phrase. This was CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR in the US Open, a professional tennis match – the last place you would think you’d see it. USTA send a message please, for the sake of the sport and the youngsters coming up. Fine Ms. Williams at least $250,000 (that’s nothing to her) and suspend her from at least one slam tournament in 2010. Maybe then she will “get it”, that what she did was extremely serious. If I had my way, she would also be stripped of her doubles title – she should not have left this tournament with any trophy.

By: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:53:28 +0000

Two completely unrelated comments.

1) I think the fine was not enough, but losing ALL of the money is too extreme. Maybe instead of taking more money they should suspend her from the next major tournament.

2) I love your title deeply.

By: ParentopiaDevra

ParentopiaDevra — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:40:22 +0000

“Finded” should be “fined.” Crack is whack.

By: ParentopiaDevra

ParentopiaDevra — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:39:22 +0000

Laurie,
I am with you on both of your points. What I did not add to my post, only because I felt it was getting very long, we also discussed “Was it enough of a punishment to be finded less than 10% of the earnings?” No. We all agreed Serena should have lost the entire 350,000 dollars she got for playing in the tournament in addition to losing the match.

I think there are a few athletes who consider themselves to be role models and take it seriously, but I also have seen plenty be interviewed about how they resent being given that role by the media and fans when they themselves never entered the sport with role model in mind.

Ultimately I think as a culture we need to stop overvaluing athletes, both monetarily and sociologically. With the inflated salaries comes the inflated sense of importance. I wish someone had enough cajones to say “I’m only going to accept 100,000 dollars a year for my salary. If I make more with advertising sponsorships, so be it.”

Where did I put my crack pipe? I know it’s here somewhere…

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:26:09 +0000

What is confusing to me in this land of celebrity anger mismanagement is that while most people agree that this kind of behavior is unacceptable, these people are still highly regarded and financially rewarded in the culture at large.

I also have a problem with athletes being viewed as role models, but that’s another story. I know it happens because kids who can somehow identify with them look up to them but I wonder if they all view themselves that way – and even if they did if their behavior would change.

I’m thinking about values and ethics too much lately. It’s headache-inducing.

By: Sarah and the Goon Squad » Serena Williams Loses Temper – Loses Match

Sarah and the Goon Squad » Serena Williams Loses Temper – Loses Match — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:51:23 +0000

[...] was watching the U.S. Open with their children. (Not that they haven’t heard that language before. They nduct watched football over at my [...]