Serena Williams' profanity-laced, finger-pointing tirade at a US Open linesperson drew a $10,000 fine Sunday, and more punishment could follow from a broader investigation into what the head of the tournament called her “threatening manner.” The fine - not quite 3 percent of the $350,000 in prize money Williams earned by reaching the semifinals – is the maximum on-site penalty that can be issued for unsportsmanlike conduct at a Grand Slam tournament. “The average individual would look at that and say, ‘A $10,000 fine for what she did? What are you guys, crazy?' The answer is: the process isn't over,” tournament director Jim Curley said. Bill Babcock, the top administrator for Grand Slam tournaments, will review what happened Saturday night. If Babcock determines Serena committed a “major offense,” she could be fined all of her prize money from the tournament. Serena also was docked $500 for smashing her racket after the first set of the match. Because she was issued a warning then, her later actions resulted in the loss of a point. The foot fault resulted in a double-fault, which moved Clijsters one point from victory. Serena then was penalized a point for her outburst; because it happened to come on match point, it ended the semifinal with Clijsters ahead 6-4, 7-5. Curley said the inquiry probably would include reviewing TV footage, checking additional audio feeds from courtside microphones and interviewing Serena, the linesperson, the chair umpire and possibly spectators. “What she did was unacceptable. It's unacceptable behavior under any circumstances. When you're on the court, and you are waving your racket toward a linesperson and using profanity, it's just simply unacceptable,” Curley said. “When you look at the tape, it's pretty clear that the way she approached the linesperson, with her racket and in that manner, it was a threatening manner. It certainly was.” The names of linespersons are not disclosed as a matter of practice at the tournament. He also said the tournament considered – and decided against – preventing Serena and her older sister Venus from participating in the women's doubles final Monday. Venus put in some work on a US Open practice court Sunday; Serena wasn't with her. After what may be recalled as the most significant foot fault in tennis history, Serena paused, retrieved a ball to serve again and then stopped. She stepped toward the official, screaming, cursing and shaking the ball at her. The official also said Serena used the word “kill.” The official declined to be identified because the tape was still being reviewed. Fans began booing and whistling, making it difficult to hear the entirety of what Serena said – and she refused to discuss specifics afterward at a news conference. An AP reporter – provided access to replays – could not verify Williams used the word “kill.” When Serena turned her back, the line judge went over to the chair umpire to report what was going on. The line judge then returned to her seat, and Serena pointed and began walking toward her. The line judge then headed back to the chair umpire's stand. By now, tournament referee Brian Earley was on the court, too. Earley could be heard asking the linesperson what Serena said. That's when Serena walked over and said to the line judge: “Are you scared? Because I said I would hit you? I'm sorry, but there's a lot of people who've said way worse.” Earley again asked the linesperson what Serena said. Whatever the linesperson said, her reply seemed to startle Serena, who said: “I didn't say I would kill you. Are you serious? Are you serious? I didn't say that.” The line judge then said: “Yes.”
