Serena poses nude for ESPN, faces possible ban
2009-10-07 [13:13:02 hrs] | | Tennis ace Serena Williams may face a possible ban from the 2010 Australian Open for posing nude for ESPN magazine and her shocking outburst at the US Open semi finals. Williams is under an International Tennis Federation investigation and faces a ban of up to two grand slams under the sport’s code of conduct.
After a foot fault call, Williams allegedly threatened the baseline judge saying, ‘You don’t know me. You better be right. I swear to God I’m going to take this ball and shove it down your throat.’ The lineswoman has alleged that Serena threatened to kill her.
The ITF have the authority to fine Williams more than $ 500,000 in prize money and impose a ban. The threat came after her bare it all front cover photo for the sports magazine.
If Serena’s outburst is deemed a ‘major offense’ by sports authorities she could be the first tennis player in fifteen years to be banned from a grand slam after American Jeff Tarango.
Tarango had stormed off court at Wimbledon in 1995 after disagreeing with a line call during a third-round match with German Alexander Mronz. The American had accused French umpire Bruno Rebeuh of being corrupt. Tarango was barred from two grand slams, including Wimbledon the next year.
Serena Williams will get a chance to defend herself in person but sources claim that her initial lack of remorse could count against her. If suspended, she could appeal to an independent tribunal.
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