Serena Williams Accuses Martinez Sanchez Of Cheating At French Open

PARIS — Serena Williams was sure the ball went off her opponent's arm, a no-no in tennis. The opponent, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, insisted the ball went off her racket. Williams accused Martinez Sanchez of "cheating." Martinez Sanchez thought that was a "stupid" thing for Williams to say.

Then consider that the point in question helped Martinez Sanchez win the first set of their French Open match Saturday. Oh, and that Williams had a coughing fit during a third-set changeover. All in all, what eventually became a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory for Williams stands as the latest example of the athlete/actress' penchant for theatrics.

"I'm, like, drama. And I don't want to be drama," a hoarse Williams said, straining to get the words out. "I'm like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama, and everyone in the house hates them because no matter what they do, like, drama follows them. I don't want to be that girl."

Perhaps. But the 2002 French Open champion, who dabbles in acting, sure seems to find herself in the middle of unique on-court situations.

Even Williams made passing reference Saturday to two episodes by naming the opponents, if not mentioning the details: a 2003 French Open semifinal loss marked by Justine Henin's gamesmanship and Williams' postmatch tears, and a 2004 U.S. Open quarterfinal loss to Jennifer Capriati that contained enough questionable officiating to prompt the introduction of replay reviews in the sport.

Here's what happened in Saturday's third-round match:

At 2-2 in the first set, Williams double-faulted to give a break point to Martinez Sanchez, a Spaniard who is ranked 43rd and never has reached the fourth round at a major. On the next point, Martinez Sanchez raced to the net behind a drop shot that brought Williams forward, too. Williams ran up and smacked a backhand right at Martinez Sanchez.

In what seemed to be an effort to protect herself, as much as to try to hit a volley, the left-handed Martinez Sanchez raised her racket, quick as could be. The ball ricocheted back _ off her racket? off her arm? off both? _ and past Williams. The point was awarded to Martinez Sanchez, giving her the game.

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NBC, which televised the match, showed The Associated Press replays in which the ball appears to glance first off Martinez Sanchez's right forearm, then off her racket, before going over the net. Tennis rules say if a ball touches a player, the point is lost.

As the women headed to the ensuing changeover, Williams tried to say something to Martinez Sanchez, who kept walking. Then Williams spoke to the chair umpire, Emmanuel Joseph, saying, "I felt so bad. I didn't mean to hit her."

Repeatedly pointing to her own forearm, Williams told Joseph, "I don't know why you gave her the game. That's totally not cool."

"She better not come to the net again," Williams said.

At her postmatch news conference, Williams was asked whether she thought the ball touched Martinez Sanchez.

"I didn't 'think' the ball touched her _ the ball did touch her, 100 percent, on her arm. The rules of tennis is when the ball hits your body, then it's out of play. You lose a point automatically," Williams said. "So the ball hit her body, and therefore, she should have lost the point _ instead of cheating."

Could Martinez Sanchez have been unsure whether the ball made contact with her arm?

"I hit that ball rather hard," Williams said. "She knew that ball hit her."

A moment later, rolling her eyes, Williams added: "It was like, 'No way.' I would never do that. I've never done that. I've never sunk low."

When Williams' comments were relayed, Martinez Sanchez said: "I don't like to comment about this. It's a stupid comment."

Asked in both English and Spanish whether the ball hit her, she repeatedly said it went off her racket.

As for Williams' health, the 10-time Grand Slam singles champion said she's been fighting a cold.

"I thought," Williams said, "I was going to cough up a lung or something."

Talk about drama.

Comments

[holman2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Qea_uBBAU
Check out this link to see Serena's reaction when Maria "almost" hit her with a ball. Hitting a really hard ball at your opponent at near point blank range is not cool. Not that these girls can't take a hit, but a hard ball can cause you to fall and twist an ankle trying to instinctly get out of the way. The ball did hit the girl's racket after it apparently hit her arm first. That's what threw the ref off. I think the Spaniard probably figured that Serena got what she deserved when the ref seems to have made the wrong call. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't have said anything either. But then I'm a racist - I take up for white people no mater what they do and I just hate all black people, especially that sorry Arthur Ashe.

[DaisyDooks]

Huh??????????

[CAMBEL]

I like Serena, but she needs to get over herself. She used to excuse every loss by saying that she was sick, or had an upset stomache. She could NEVER ever say that her opponant played well. I remember one time she said something to the effect that Justine Henin didn't play well, Serena was just not feeling well...really? Because Henin beat you many many times. I guess you were sick for all of them huh?

[k6007]

I remember that. It's not enough to garner the kind of vile I'm reading here.

[24kgold]

What does that have to do with Martinez Sanchez cheating? How do you know her stomach wasn''t hurting?

[pam45]

Your statement isn't true. Serena has said at the end of losing matches that the other player was better or that the other player played a good match. I'm an advid tennis fan and have watched since Billy Jean and Jimmy Conner days. It's an intense sport and fairness needs to be always exercised. Serena was right about the ball hitting her opponent. The player simply cheated because she wanted to win and that's the bottom line. Why do you dislike Serena? She has represented her country well and you should be proud of her. Good tennis is great to watch and she and her sister Venus have raised the level of women's tennis worldwide!

[ToniaB]

None of this has anything to do with what happened in this particular match! You don't like Serena, FINE!!! It does not justify Martinez cheating!

[CollegePolitico]

Amen!

[AxelDC]

You would think by this point in her career, Serena would learn to act like a champion. These childish displays are beneath someone with her trophy cabinet.

[k6007]

What childish display, was that?

[scorpioleidy]

How can you say that? Serena & Venus are the epitome of what a champion should be, and your comments are completely unwarranted! Neither Serena nor Venus rarely challenge a call or even argue a point. Serena simply called out an opponent for flagrant cheating - something she & Venus would have been penalized for due to the USTA double standard on r ac e ... but that's another issue. Childish is throwing a racket when things don't go your way - a la Martina Hingis - and neither of the Williams sisters has EVER done this.

[Aabby]

indeed.

[24kgold]

What was childish and unchampion like is Martinez Sanchez cheating. What are you talking about?
"NBC, which televised the match, showed The Associated Press replays in which the ball appears to glance first off Martinez Sanchez's right forearm, then off her racket, before going over the net. Tennis rules say if a ball touches a player, the point is lost."

[swo68]

I have to go with Serena on this. If someone cheats, I'm going to be pissed, and people are going to know it.

[kalidescopemind]

While I think her dad is a clown, and she usually has a poor attitude, I'm with Serena on this one. Perhaps they can show ms. Sanchez the replay and ask her if she still thinks it is "stupid" to comment on this.

[pam45]

She wasn' t childish but simply stating a fact. The player cheated. Take a look at the tape from the match.

[BSer]

Serena....You need to sacrifice for your children and children's children....


The ONE.

[k6007]

roddick lost. serena is the only american left in the french open. Have fun hating, haters.

[lisaman]

What is that supposed to mean?

[k6007]

Read these comments.

[Aabby]

It means that in most countries, people are crazy about their countrymen who play tennis. Venus and Serena don’t enjoy that kind of unconditional support form this country which struggles with racism. I once read a French paper were the writer was shocked to hear Americans in the stands cheering against American who happened to be black and rooting for the French girl instead. ..unheard of i tell you.

[ToniaB]

I took it to mean that Serena is the only American left in the tournament... Nothing complicated about it!

[scorpioleidy]

Well, thanks for ruining it for me - I had planned to watch later ...

Love Serena & Venus, too. But it was so sweet to watch Nadal get blasted off the court yesterday! Hopefully Roger can win his first French Open - finally!

[Ranta]

Are we supposed to lover her because she is an American?

[mjtaylor22]

sometimes
ity would be nice

[k6007]

Obviously not.

[Aabby]

In international competition, it isn’t uncommon root for one’s countryman.

[pam45]

Why wouldn't you? Not only is she an American but she is an accomplished one on the tennis court! Do you know how many tournaments she's won in her lifetime?

[DruggyBear]

i do. then again i am an american

[24kgold]

Exactly, I totally agree with you.....

[VSamuels]

The tennis boards are even worse, but it does serve as a huge reminder that many white Americans do not see non-whites as Americans. The corporate media loves to sensationalize everything under the sun when it points to something inane, but somehow they have always failed to deal in real terms with the persistent group here who cheer against black Americans in team sports events against international opponents.

[BoneyT]

I remember watching Serena play a match at the US Open, and I believe Serena was playing, Martina Hingis, a European player, and the crowd was cheering for the European player. Martina Navrativlova was commentating. When the crowd starting cheering for Martina Hingis, Martina N. said in disbelief: "This would never happpen in Europe--they would never cheer for an American over their countryman". Call it whatever you like?

[gnushell]

I watched the match and the ball definitely hit Sanchez on the arm. Serena was absolutely correct in her assertation. I'm glad she was able to rally her way to defeat the cheater.

[gettingitright]

Terrible, anti-Williams propaganda-driven headline aided by a photo which depicts thrill and not outrage. This article and most of these posts just prove the Williams' point that they are perceived differently from their white counterparts.

[DaisyDooks]

TRUE!!!

[champions1]

this is for JUST DON'T FOLLOW....sounds to me ...a little like sour grapes that only two women could make you and your daughter stop watching, sorry but why don't you just get it off your wittle chest and say what you really want to say, i am a former athlete and believe me it is about the game, not the players sure everyone including myself has his and her favorites...but go give something up like that sounds to me you weren't much of tennis fans anyway so you are not missing anything right, then why come here and sprout your nonsense, my favorite Nadal lost yesterday does that mean i won't watch heck no, i will be there to the end as usual......as for sanchez.....she is a cheater the ball hit her hard and went off the racket....see once a cheater always a cheater....and it happened in front of everyone and now she will have to rehash it over and over again for the rest of her life...she should have just owned up.....I will be cheering for Serena if she can do it. if not .....who's next..

[Bambi Cantello]

Agreed. Furthermore, did you know that the reason tennis now has instant reply is because of a call against Serena? Four or five years ago she was playing Jennifer Capriati at the U.S. Open and had a ball that was about six inches inside the line called out. I've never seen a call that bad. Never! That was the call that launched the current challenge system in tennis.

The point here is that Serena has played opponets before who could have corrected the umpire, but have failed to do so. This wasn't the first or even the second incident. Jennifer knew that bad was in just as well as this girl knew that the ball hit her. That is bad sportmanship, no matter how you slice it.

[24kgold]

Go Bambi........

[TRYKER]

It is really heartening to think that these egregious calls against Serena brought about the challenge system and the replay. She suffered for the greater good.
These hateful remarks by people who don't even follow tennis or Serena's career reveal a sad level of development. What are they doing at Huffpo?

[Lauren Collier 1]

It is very obvious that Martinez cheated with assistance from the ref. Serena was absolutely right and if it were me, I would have been just as verbal as Serena. I am delighted that Serena won the match. You go, girl!!!

[frankcaprafan]

She's frickin' smokin'.

[postman66]

Like you wouldn't believe.

http://www.serenawilliams.us/photos/serena_williams_01.jpg

[frankcaprafan]

You're killing me.

[wingnutx]

Yes.

[Dr Manhattan]

Be kind and pass down whatever it is you're smoking. It's obviously some good stuff.

[k6007]

Beauty is in the eye..

[Madison007]

Dr Manhattan - I agree with you 100% ! NOT a flattering picture at all. My goodness she is so thick...I don't think I have ever seen such thick legs on a women.

[k6007]

That's right. Inferior specimens, need not apply.

[frankcaprafan]

We like thick. She may be too much woman for you.

[ToniaB]

You're right; not all men would know what to do with a woman like that; but there are a lot that will do just fine... Stay in your lane!

[carnegie]

The article states this:

"All in all, what eventually became a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory for Williams stands as the latest example of the athlete/actress' penchant for theatrics."

And among other comments reveals the writer's bias against Williams, as he admits yes her opponent DID cheat but hey Serena is such a drama queen for taking offense. Give me a break.

[DontJustFollow]

We used to watch women's tennis as my daughter and wife played - since the Williams sisters we have lost interest.

They are extremely athletic but lack style and grace - and most of all manners.

[k6007]

I'm sure they're heartbroken, as they count their millions...

[DontJustFollow]

I am sure you are right - in a society that bases everything on how much money you have.

Still, women tennis stars of the past were financially successful and still maintained a level of decorum.

[sf girl]

First of all, Serena and Venus are the not the same person and therefore do not have the same personalities. Venus is reserved, rarely questions calls and is extremely gracious. Serena, on the other hand, has not always followed in her older sister's footsteps when it comes to manners on the court. When she argues calls, she's usually right, regardless of how she does the arguing (and usually she does not do it in a rude way). And if you want to talk about manners, there are plenty of other players you could call out, such as Andy Roddick. He has belittled umpires with whom he has disagreed. I've been embarrassed to be an American watching some of his antics on-court.

Secondly, if you dislike the Williams so much that you won't watch any women's tennis you are truly missing out. Too bad for you.

[LeftCoastLefthandedLefty]

Just to pipe in on Roddick, an american with no Major titles to his credit, by the way.

Yesterday, Roddick had a hissy fit about the cloud cover that came over during his match. He repeatedly berated the chair umpire to stop the match because he didn't like the late afternoon light that he and his competitor were playing in because of the cloud cover.

Long story short, he lost (again) in straight sets, and continues whining about it in his press conference, and the announcers to my astonishment took his side on the matter. Now for those who don't follow tennis, just about 1 year ago Rafa Nadal beat Roger Federer in a watershed match at Wimbledon that went right up til dusk (no lights at Wimbledon), and Federer did not complain about the lighting as he knew Nadal was playing in the same light.

Now an impartial observer would probably see a little inconcistency in the American perception of these two atheletes, but there's no way the differential in their treatments is race related.........is it...........

[Aabby]

Translation "we’ve lost interest since the black girls started to dominate the game”

Sorry but they will not start to be less powerful to please the likes of you.

And it depends what you call style and grace. I find the Williams sisters extremely graceful, powerful and a joy to watch. And thank God for alternative they provide and the role models they are for little girls from inner cities

[k6007]

Bingo!

[DontJustFollow]

totally incorrect translation - though predictable. It is not the color it is the manners.

It is correct that Venus understands her responsibility to the game better and I should not have lumped her in with her sister in that way.

Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan and Aurther Ashe are excellent roll models for kids of all colors, which is what is really important. Maybe when we hold excellent people up as roll models and do not clasify them by race we will make better progress - - -

Serena's "drama" act is not a good roll model for anyone. It is a good example of behavior that should not be tolerated no matter what race or athletic ability - - -

[DaisyDooks]

You're picking up the subliminal messages. They are apparent. Stevie Wonder can see that, too.

[Ourrias]

Assuming facts not in evidence ....

Plus, you sound like a racist.

[anywho]

If you really watched the Williams sisters play tennis and comport themselves over the years you would realize that they are wonderful ambassadors for the United States and professional tennis.

[mervr1]

Oh you mean since the Black women started kicking everyones buttts, is what you really want to say.

I guess you wish Chris Everett could compete against them.

[JJinWI]

Although it's irrelevant, because Williams eventually won the match, this was clearly her point. Sanchez clearly played the ball off her forearm, not her racket. It was cheating, Sanchez should have called it herself for the integrity of the match.

Sportsmanship - 0....Win at any cost - 1

How does that saying go? Cheaters never win?

There's a reason Sanchez doesn't have any comment on the point, she cheated, plain and simple.
There's also a reason she's not ranked in the top 40 and Serena showed that in the match.

[anonimost]

uh oh. some of my best winners are my opponent's shots bouncing off my body.

[faithnj]

roflol!

[gettingitright]

Terrible, propaganda-driven headline aided by a photo which depicts thrill not ourage. These posts just prove the Williams' point that they are treated and perceived differently from their white counterparts.