During the semifinals of US Open 2009 against Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams was docked a point for abusing a match official. As the lineswoman called out her left foot-fault. A furious Serena walked towards the umpire and said: “I swear to God I’ll f***ing take the ball and shove it down your f***ing throat.”
While receiving the point penalty, the American ace Williams was match point down. Then it was game, set, and match for Clijsters. Few days after for Serena’s meltdown, she was issued a fine of US $82,500.
But, later at the Australian Open 2010, she revealed a man would have never been fined as much as she was. She explained the double standards existing in the world, where there are different sets of rules defined for men and women.
Serena Williams’ thoughts
“It is a lot of money to fine someone. People said worse, done worse. I just thought it was a bit — I think it was a bit much. But that was that. Well, we live in a world that still, men are, just leading a lot of things,” said Serena Williams.
“In tennis, I think we’ve been able to do really well with having fought so hard to get equal prize money. I think that’s really good. But I think we still sort of, say, live in a man’s world. I’m the first to say that I like men to be strong, to be leaders. I think that’s absolutely important. But I just think at the same time some incidents can bring you back to life and back into reality.”
All her words are more than ten years old and surprising, the circumstances in the world outside are still the same. And we continue to live in a male-dominant society.
In 2009, now-23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams was initially issued a fine of US $175,000 for her outburst. It was in lieu of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slam events.
She was also on probation for two-years. If she had committed another offense in the next two years at a Grand Slam, she would have been suspended from participating in the following US Open. Fortunately for the next two years, nothing occurred from Williams’ side. Also the fine was consequently reduced to US $82,500.
Travel-Obsessed Serena Williams Says She Gets Bored If She Stays Home For Too Long
As one of the biggest faces in a sport that competes across the world throughout the year, it is no surprise that Serena Williams loves to travel. With millions of dollars and a lifestyle that has seen her going across the world since she was just a child, it makes perfect sense that this would be the case.
Trapped at home like the rest of us, however, Williams is trying to make it through the coronavirus scare that’s’ kept her grounded for the foreseeable future.
Serena Williams: traveling addict
Williams was among the first celebrities who announced that they were self-quarantining before it became the societal norm. It must be wearing on her, too.
In a November interview with Forbes, Williams spoke about her love of traveling that goes beyond enjoyment and borders on obsession. Being an athlete in a sport as international as tennis, travel is a part of Williams’ life, and despite having a young daughter at home, that doesn’t stop the family from taking trips a lot.
“I have grown to love traveling, and when I’m home for more than two weeks, I get bored and feel like I need to go somewhere,” explained to Forbes.
Drawing from the last few years alone, Forbes noted that Williams met husband Alexis Ohanian in Italy while on vacation. The pair have gone on dates in Paris, a babymoon in Tulum, Mexico, had a wedding in New Orleans, and a honeymoon on a private island called Kamalame Cay in the Bahamas. Although this predated the quarantine, Williams’ passion for getting out was on full notice.
Williams’ travel observations
It comes as no surprise that Williams has an eye for fashion and culture. There are few athletes today whose images are also tied up in their fashion. When traveling abroad, Williams has credited her time in other countries with helping her create her own style and adapt it not only to herself but to her brands.
“I love meeting and seeing women in Paris—how they dress and how they approach style—versus women in London and how they approach style and even the choices they make in restaurants,” said Williams (per Forbes.) “I love observing all of that and being conscious of how women dress and what they’re wearing, either on their neck or on their body.”
Williams’ love of fashion has made its way to her business life, too. Williams launched the Away x Serena collection this year. While many celebrities who put their names on brands are doing so with little involvement, Williams is heavily involved in the design of this line, which is based on those same observations she spoke about.
Now weeks into quarantine, however, Williams is having to cope with life inside her home.
The Williams’ family quarantine
Williams has documented life in quarantine all over social media. From daily walks to time with her daughter, Olympia, Williams appears to be having a perfectly good time without the need to travel. Just because she’s staying near her house, however, it doesn’t mean that Williams’ life is devoid of excitement.
Williams has been spending her time in Palm Beach, but fitness isn’t taking a break. While out for a bike ride in her neighborhood, Williams posted a video on Instagram of an unexpected visitor to her stroll in the form of an Alligator. Williams was not in immediate danger, but she was able to catch it all on video for fans to see.
Inside her house, however, Williams is taking the proper precautions and living with the same fears as us all. Always candid about what is on her mind, Williams spoke at great length about the anxiety that comes with every sneeze as she tries to keep both herself and her family healthy.
Hopefully, Williams will be able to get out and travel in the near future. Until then, however, she will only have her memories to keep her mind away from home.
