Serena Williams may seat out US Open

Serena Williams has been fined $175,000 (£106,200) and put on probation for two years for her foul-mouthed tirade at the US Open in September, the International Tennis Federation has announced.

The ITF said any further offence at a grand slam in the next two years would see her suspended from the US Open in 2010, 2011, or 2012.

The fine will be reduced to $82,500 (£50,000) if she commits no further major offence until 2011, the ITF said.

Williams lashed out at a lineswoman after a foot-fault call at the end of her US Open semi-final loss to Kim Clijsters in September.

The title-holder and tournament favourite was 6-4, 6-5 and 15-30 down when the sanction was called against her on her second serve, setting up match point for Clijsters.

Gesturing at her with her racket outstretched, Williams – who had earlier been given a code violation for racquet abuse – hurled a volley of abuse towards her, resulting in the point penalty and the loss of the match.

The lineswoman then ran up to umpire Louise Engzell to report the incident which brought tournament referee Brian Earley on to the court.

It was never confirmed what Williams had said to the lineswoman, but the on-court microphones picked up her saying to the official in an argument: “I never said I would kill you, are you serious?”

After discussing the situation with the player, linesperson and chair umpire, Williams was handed a second code violation, the resultant point penalty handing victory to a bemused Clijsters, 6-4 7-5.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Williams, the defending champion, felt she had nothing to apologise for.

“I don’t think that’s necessary for me to speak about that. I’ve let it go,” Williams said. “I didn’t threaten (her). I didn’t say…I don’t remember anymore, to be honest. I was in the moment. And, you know, everyone’s fighting for every point. It was a really crucial point, 15-30, actually.”

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