
Serena Williams in the public eye
By now everyone has caught wind of the meltdown by tennis superstar Serena Williams at this year’s U.S. Open.
Williams outburst toward the line judge over a foot violation resulted in her being fined $10,000 for her Sunday rant and was penalized the final point in her semifinal match against Kim Clijsters.
“At that point I had really just lost control,” she said, noting that the call was over a mistake she hadn’t made all year. “I just thought, ‘What’s going on?’”
Williams said she especially felt sorry for the judge who was obviously taken aback by Williams’ harsh words and aggressive stance.
A few days later I caught up with the Tennis star at the release party for her new book, “On The Line”. When Williams finally arrived she was met by a throng of reporters and fans eager to speak with her and get pictures and autographs.
Coming from the jewelry business where my day to day at RITANI is spent marketing engagement rings I was mildly overwhelmed by the media fan fare and the remarkable scene surrounding Serena’s entrance into the club which was to mark the launch of her new book.
She handled it very well and she even spent time talking with fans and media reporters. It was good to see her in calm spirits; outside of her element in a maw public coddling. I found her to be a truly warm and approachable athlete who obviously values her fans. And now, as she faces possible additional punishment for her U.S. Open outburst, Williams said she may have to add a new chapter to her book.
“I love my fans. I love the kids. I feel honored to have people look at me and be like, ‘I want to be Serena Williams,’” she said, adding that she never expected to be in such a position. “It’s greater than the sport.”
Twoheartedriver