‘Can’t Afford to Pay Fines’ – Serena Williams on Her Controversial US Open 2007

Serena Williams has been a dominant force in the tennis world for over two decades. Winning 23 Grand Slams in her career, the American is the most successful active tennis player in the sport. However, she has suffered her fair share of ups and downs.

The former World No. 1 will make her long awaited return to the tour at Wimbledon this year. At 40, she will aim to equal fellow countryman Margaret Court.

Williams’ fury after controversial 2007 loss

In 2007, Williams faced Belgian Justine Henin in the quarter-finals of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. However, Henin upset the American winning 7-6 6-1. Williams was visibly upset in the post match press conference, saying, “I think that’s usually the case with me, that it’s for me to win or lose.”

“I really don’t feel like talking about it, to be honest. I don’t want to get fined. That’s the only reason I came. I can’t afford to pay the fines because I keep losing,” she added.

It was Serena’s first loss against Henin on a hard court.

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Serena Williams’ history with fines

In 2019, the American was fined $10,000 for damaging the court during a practice session at Wimbledon. Williams also smashed her racquet on the grass after her quarter-final against Alison Riske. This came after she was penalized for three offences in the 2018 US Open final.

The worst of such incidents came in 2009, when Williams’ fine was a $82,500 fine, the largest in tennis history. Williams’ tirade at a lineswoman for a foot-fault in a match against Kim Clijsters also received a fine of $10500.

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Despite these outbursts, Williams has predominantly done her talking on the court. She is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest ever to grace the sport. With her return to the court on the horizon, the legend will look to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.