The women’s semi-final at the US open 2009 between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters had a bizarre ending, when the former contested a foot fault and lost the match 6-4,7-5 as she ended up venting her anger on the lineswoman on match point.
The second seeded Serena Williams was reportedly losing the game against Clijsters and needed to hold her serve in order to drive the match into a tie-breaker. But as soon as the foot fault was called upon by the lineswoman, the player reportedly strolled down to her and had an altercation. Brian Earley, the tournament manager reportedly came down to have a chat with the chairwoman and lineswoman. An argument followed. Serena was reportedly heard during the argument saying, “I didn’t say I would kill you. Are you serious?” Exactly what Serena said to the lineswoman is unknown but it was enough for her to earn a penalty and thereby losing the much coveted match against Kim Clijsters.
According to the sources, Williams was warned during the first set after the player allegedly broke her tennis racket during the first set of the match, due to sheer frustration. The second code of violation cost her a point and the penalty cost her the match. Williams was seen walking to the net, and shaking hands with Kim thereby suggesting that the match was over. She was escorted with a huge round of “boo’s” from the audience who were seemingly disappointed with the abrupt end, and that too of an US Open semi final game.
While speaking to the reporters later, Williams did not reveal what she had vented on the lineswoman. “I will let it go,” she said. “I am a really really intense player and always have been,” said Williams.