Mark Williams

Disappointing to watch the Serena story. As someone who has been around tennis most of my life including 15 years as an official, it is difficult to understand the angle of your reporting on the heels of Serena being fined $10,000, just yesterday, for yet another outburst. Serena got what she deserved at the US Open last year. Her coach received a coach's warning (which he admitted after the match, and that he coaches at every match). Many players and coaches receive coach's warnings. She then smashed a racquet to earn a point penalty. Subsequently she continued to berate the official for properly enforcing the Point Penalty System and earned a game penalty. Unlike her sister Venus, Serena has never been able to be gracious about losing or accepting responsibility for her poor behavior. Junior players watch and note these professionals. Professional players get the benefit of a warning. Unlike the professionals, the juniors don't get a free opportunity to smash a racquet or violate the rules of tennis.