Serena Williams might face two-Slam suspension

Serena Williams by now well-publicised heated “little” outburst during the US Open semis, involving threats to shove a ball down a lineswoman’s throat, sprinkled with a few choice fbombs for good measure and consolidated by brandishing her racquet menacingly in case her intentions were misunderstood, might earn her a two-slam suspension. At least that is the latest in the rumour mill.

Overkill? Or not? That seems to be the ongoing debate.

Here is my “unbiased” stand: well, she was fined the maximum a Grand Slam can fine an athlete for such unsportsmanlike conduct ($10,500 poorer she is, laughable if you ask me. Well, considering how much she was allowed to take home it is!). She was compelled to apologize (although I don’t believe I have heard a less sincere apology (sounded more as if she was defending her actions) from an athlete to an organization and its employees – who are there to only do their jobs – and her fans). And she has been subjected to all sorts of backlash by the media, ever too eager to beat on someone when they are down (what’s new with the bleeding media!).

I know, so much for professing impartiality.

Not only was Serena Williams not punished immediately after her tirade – save maybe for the code violation that cost her a point, at match point no less (don’t feel sorry for her, seriously) – but she was allowed to return to Arthur Ashe and lace up with sister Venus for their US Open doubles final against Liezel Huber and Cara Black, win, and collect prize money’s of $205,695 and almost $350,000 for the singles semis. (See, I told you not to feel sorry!)

There you have it people, proportional punishment. Fine her $10K and give her a slap on the wrist. Oh and then make sure to reward her with over $half a million. Way to take a strong stand. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated indeed!

Serena, the diva that wears obnoxious t-shirts to pressers with statements like “can’t spell dynasty without nasty” has the last laugh. (Side note: she wasn’t wearing that shirt in her post semis presser. Instead, she reminded us about what a passionate person she was and told us John McEnroe was her favourite player – incidentally, who was disqualified from the Australian Open in 1990.)

That decision to allow the doubles final to go ahead is the source of all the controversy and division amongst those who would take sides on this issue. The singular most damning act of quiet complicity– and perhaps, dare I say it, the most self-serving move I have ever seen by the USTA organization. I mean there are all these TV rights for channels airing the US Open doubles final to uphold, peoples tickets to honour... and all that.

Had they disqualified Serena from the doubles at the time and stripped her of her prize money there and then many would have been satisfied and deemed the punishment proportional to the crime. Even ESPN commentator Maria Carillo alluded to as much at the time.

"I think she should be suspended," Carillo said. "I can't believe they are letting her play the doubles after that. What does it say about our sport if all you do is hand out a fine?"

Yet, the USTA’s handling of this matter has been nothing short of a comedy of errors that it is no surprise the crosshairs of controversy continue and the investigation into whether her verbal tirade – "I swear to God, I'll f--- take this ball and shove it down your f--- throat," - rises to the level of a major offense, demanding the two-slam suspension, will only serve to perpetuate the debate further.

What do you think?