The Serena Williams "Incident" Isn't About Racial Bias, But It Is About Bias

Let me start off by saying that I am a true tennis fan and player (albeit an incredibly out of shape one compared to my not so illustrious days on my high school team another lifetime ago). I should also add that I am enough of a tennis nerd that I remember the days when Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt were sort of like the Prom King and Queen of tennis, so I was proud to see Kim, a new mom, battling her way into her first Grand Slam final in years, on sheer grit, determination, and talent.

And then she got a little unnecessary help from a lineswoman.

Now I want you to honestly ask yourself the following. If a lineswoman had called a questionable foot fault on Andy Roddick in the final game of his marathon Wimbledon battle royale against Roger Federer, near match point no less, what would the general reaction of most tennis fans -- particularly American tennis fans -- have been? Or if a linesman had called a foot fault on Melanie Oudin at a crucial point during her fairy tale like run at the Open (where I had the immense pleasure of seeing her play) what would the general reaction of the fans filling Arthur Ashe stadium have been? If the way we behaved during her match against Dementieva is any indication, then I'm guessing we would have seen an Attica-like riot.

Before the eye rolling begins, let me be clear. I am not arguing that Serena Williams -- with her countless titles and millions of dollars -- has somehow been a victim of racial bias. But I don't think anyone who is a real tennis fan can argue that she hasn't been a victim of some bias throughout her and her sister's, history-making careers, and Saturday night was one such moment.

In spite of how they have dominated the sport at near Tiger Woods like levels, it has long been acceptable to not like and not root for the Williams sisters even though they have been one of the few bright spots for American tennis fans of the last few years. (During her 2001 meeting with Clijsters at Indian Wells, Serena Williams was booed so badly that she and her family have never returned to the event).

One can't simply blame race. After all, James Blake has enjoyed immense popularity among American tennis fans, many of us hopeful that he will one day fulfill the promise so many of us see in him. With the Williams sisters it has always been less about what color they are and more about who they are: from Compton, not from Connecticut; wearing wildly colored fashion combos, instead of pristine tennis whites; talking loud and proud of their roots, instead of quietly trying to blend in; rocking braids and cornrows in the early days, instead of joining the ranks of Beyonce (and some of the rest of us) by getting a more socially acceptable, "lady-like" weave.

And then there's the dad. When Richard Williams held up a sign during the 2000 Wimbledon final proclaiming, "It's Venus' Party and No One Was Invited" there were more than a few Americans -- including many black Americans -- who cringed. But he came by his over-the-top nature honestly. He and his daughters have made no secret of the role class played in their early struggles to find acceptance on the circuit. (Let's be real. Tennis remains, to this day, very much a country club-esque sport and while the Williams scream a lot of things, country club is not one of them.) In one of their earliest "60 Minutes" appearances a sports journalist recalled that it was common knowledge that many in media and the sports world had rooted for them to fail, if only to spite their abrasive father. Subsequently their love, hate relationship with American fans became a bit like debating which came first: the chicken or the egg. Some wondered how they could lift their rackets with such huge chips on their shoulders and for a while it seemed to become a self-fulfilling prophecy: They acted as though the whole world was against them and the whole world obliged.

There's a saying: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean 'they're' not after you." In the case of the Williams sisters there have been questionable calls over the years that have cost both of them grand slam matches before this latest one, including a 2004 call that cost Venus a Wimbledon match (and cost the umpire in question his participation in the remainder of the tournament) and a series of questionable calls in the 2004 U.S. Open that led to Serena's loss, including one that former player and analyst Tracy Austin labeled "quite literally the worst call I've ever seen."

Instead of their attitude and outbursts being cited as proof of their passion for the game, as it had with other players (Mac the Knife anyone?), it became further proof to some that they didn't belong.

But in those moments when they seemed to forget about the rest of the world and just let go and play, they managed to give us tennis fans a real gift. (Even their father displayed moments of grace that surprised many, such as when he said of Venus's Wimbledon opponent Lindsay Davenport, "I love Lindsay...She's a wonderful human being.")

Which is why Saturday's events leave me so saddened.

Yes Serena was wrong.

But so was the lineswoman.

And so is every tennis fan who isn't willing to honestly admit that Saturday's call never would have happened, nor been deemed acceptable for any other player under those circumstances.

But other players are not named Williams.

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Comments

[EStreetShuffler]

Wait a minute. Referees make bad calls (and fail to make the right calls often) during crucial times in every sport. Watch enough basketball, baseball or football and you'll see egregious calls every season. You contend that such a call wouldn't have been made against any other player not named Williams. Really? Are you suggesting that the lineswoman acted alone in her dislike of people from Compton or is she part of a vast conspiracy that has only let the Williams sisters win practically every major in the last several years?

If everyone was out to get them, why do they have so many trophies?

If Serena hadn't lost her cool and just played on, the story would have been the bad call. Period. You say such a call wouldn't have been acceptable if called on anyone but a Williams. I completely disagree. Fans, sports columnists and everyone would have argued about it no matter who was playing.

I think Serena is an amazing athlete and the Williams sisters are one of the best sports stories in American history.

However, "Yes Serena was wrong. But so was the lineswoman" is a weak attempt to deflect criticism of Serena's behavior. She acted like a poor loser and a bully, plain and simple.

The whole thing is unfortunate, but I hope all this attention makes Serena reflect a little and understand that a bad call doesn't warrant that kind of response, no matter what's on the line...

[aardvarx]

First, excellent commentary by MS. Goff.

Second, the media reaction is overblown.

Third, threatening? Really? Does anyone seriously think Serena was going to harm that woman?

Fourth, the Williams sisters have never been treated fairly by the tennis establishment. I will long remember the racist, sexist discussion about her body at the 2007 Australian Open. The sister have always been too "Black," with a father who is straight up country and ghetto. Sure, those in the tennis establishment love James Blake...but then again, he's a Harvard grad with an affluent white mother sitting in the stands and a "J crew" of affluent white fan friends.

Fifth, the sisters have never been given their due respect by the public. White American fans would rather cheer for Sharapova. Imagine being a dominate number one watching a blond seventeen year old Russian become America's marketing darling SOLELY because she is white and fits a very narrow notion of beauty. That they still manage to thrive after so many years of insult is a testament to the strength of their character.

Sixth, this country is still mired in racism and sexism. I refer to the public rancor over l'affair Foot Fault as Serena's Sofia Moment. Sofia was the Oprah character in the Color Purple who ended up humiliated and stripped of her dignity because she refused to show proper contrition. I certainly hope that any additional punishment for Serena is dropped. She has paid enough over the years.

[silverball]

...just from my perspective...it struck me as a "class" thing...doesn't matter where you are at...you can always find/look for someone BELOW you...but NOT worth causing a final point win by that kind of standard, not applied to most...or close to all....

[JB17]

More than any other sport, tennis is about lines and crossing them or not. It is not about whether the call was wrong or right, tennis has clear rules, Serena was in the semifinal in center court. the linesperson's job was to watch the line and Serena crossed it in more ways than one. To justify her behavior and to say she was being picked on is enabling an emotional and physical abuser.
Serena crossed the line, getting angry in the heat of the moment is understandable, to justify unacceptable behavior and then lie about is not. If she had uttered that threat in public, the police would have been called and then she clearly lied about what she said to the chair umpire and appeared completely unremorseful in interviews.
Physically threatening another individual is not acceptable and crossed the line. The tournament could perhaps amend its rules to "physical threats to an umpire results in immediate default of the match, ejection from the tournament and loss of all prize monies earned."
You seem to be justifying abusive behavior in your article, it is not that she is a Williams, it is not that she is an african american, it is not that she is a woman, and a line has to be drawn over acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Enough is enough with the media enabling unacceptable behavior, in the world of human beings. there is no excuses for what she did, she clearly crossed the line.

[iqfinsvcs]

I agree that Serena was understandably out of control. Sport warriors tend to be. Much of the blame for this - as far as the Williams sisters are concerned - is the USTA's silence in the face of blatant acts of discrimination against the two "outsiders". Except for their one act of implementing the Challenge Rule in response to outright and blatant cheating during Serena vs Capriati, the USTA kept quiet when Venus, at the Fench Open, was humiliated by bad calls and heavy cat calls and was basically run off the court. The cheating against the sisters at Grand slam events worldwide are well documented and, I guess it just got the better of Serena this time around. I understand why she apologized but quite frankly I would not have been upset if she did not. Enough is Enough!

[asap12]

You are so right Serena was at her boiling point. Like someone said you can only turn your cheek so many times before the biles begins to burst. Serena has always been a very well behave young woman, hardly ever question calls, does not cheat and follow the rules of the game. Saturday night was the turning point......and I have no doubt that Serena word have turned that match around she did it many times before. She and her sister has put up with alot of crap from the WTA and they held their heads high and keep winning for the good old USofA. I am not saying what Serena did was right but I can empathize with her.

[RS33]

Couldn't agree more. The part of it that I think was the worst was her post-game interview. She was not remorseful and didn't apologize once. I truly believe she doesn't think she did anything wrong. Her apology on Monday before her doubles match seemed contrived, something that her publicist wrote for her.

[RS33]

As an athlete and tennis player, I understand where Serena is coming from. The adrenaline pumping through you as you are fighting to stay in the match at 15-30 down is almost enough to make you crazy. And as she is a true competitor and a tennis great, I can only imagine that her energy and focus is unreal. So, when a lines judge called, as some say a "bs" call during this unnerving point in the match, of course she's going to be irrational.

That being said, her behavior during this incident was utterly disgusting. As much respect as she has earned throughout the years, this poor display of sportsmanship makes me think twice about her. Come on! She's playing a grand slam semi-final, and she needs to realize that she's being watched by millions! Her behavior is distasteful and has no place in tennis. It doesn't matter where you're from (as your article discusses).. tennis IS a classy sport and Serena certainly doesn't emulate that.

Not only does she act trashy on court, but she has the nerve to not apologize in the post-game interview. I understand that some of you are content with her apology before her doubles match... CLEARLY THAT WAS NOT HER FEELINGS BUT HER PUBLICISTS!!

Also.. this is not about race. This is about humility and admitting one's flaws- a quality that Serena Williams does not have.

[Mach8]

I'm glad you could draw such an accurate conclusion based on one event. It would have taken most normal people many years of dealing with someone in context to draw such a conclusion. Your insight is indeed remarkable.

:-

[RS33]

I am not saying it's accurate.. but after watching something unfold obviously I can have an opinion on it and that is what I discussed.

[Waitaminute]

I'd like the commentaters to act with decorum. Especially the American ones, including former American tennis players. Other then John McEnroe, I have failed to see one time, where American commentaters and sportcasters showed through their commentary, support for the William sisters during their matches. They alway seem to be rooting for the other player. Most times itS the foreign players. They even root for the foreign player when the matches are in the U.S..

At one time i admired these former tennis players. But since the William sisters, they disgust me. Especially some of the former female players.

[Nommo]

Absolutely right. It has been that way from day one.

[donnajr]

every human being on the planet has a bad call . in that moment , is when your tested to see what is on the inside that comes out & there is no bias about that .

[austin4]

Serena made her case, just like McEnroe did when he played tennis....­......wher­e was the problem with him voicing his opinion

[MotherJonesSister]

Were you there in person? If you look at the totality of the matches, foot faults were being called.
Venus had several herself in the early round. I was there.

New Yorkers love the Williams sisters, so I am not sure where this so-called non-rooting idea comes from. Second, the two, while personable off the court, are quite different on court (as it often is in sports). They screech and yell in order solely to intimidate the other player(s) on the other side of the net. (Coaches say if you have energy to yell, you are taking it away from your full game.) Some people, yes, do not like that, and I heard that in the stands.

If anything, the workers did not treat any of the matches as if "stars" were playing or that points were more key than others. Without a better angle on the play, it is not so easy to judge.
This article is so off base, it hurts those with real beefs about racism.

[Waitaminute]

The judge was sitting right on the line. There was no angle. What has their yelling and losing energy has to do with anything? Alot of them yell. Intimidating the opponent is part of sports.

[greenwitch]

I think she meant that the camera did not have a shot on the line, hence the angles of the replays were inconclusive.

[PatA]

I have been reading on the net all day about Serena Williams and her disrespectful behavior at the Open.
I am sick and tired of the excuses that some people feel they have to put forth on her behalf.
I didn't see a black tennis player berating a white woman. I saw a tennis player berating an official who was responsible for the "foot fault".
Why does it always have to do with race or where someone is from, for God's sake.
I am the first white woman, from southeastern Oklahoma, in the world to become the official photographer for the Navajo Nation's intertribal powwow and rodeo. NO ONE cares where I am from or what color I am. I just take damned good pictures just like Ms. Williams plays damned good tennis.
Give it up, folks. It's time to leave the building.

[Mach8]

Funny, because I saw a BS call, one of many called against the Williams sisters over their careers. Since you haven't been in that situation, you don't understand the context. Based on the single incident it may appear like an overreaction but over a career I'm sure it gets very frustrating. And your example relating to your profession wasn't even valid.

[Arch Angel 71]

Ma'am, it is very easy for the "1st white woman" photographer of Indians to think that black folks should see the world as she sees it. You are obviously sincere, but the sad fact is, pretending that these things don't exist won't make them go away! Only talking about it will...

By the way... Do you (or any of your friends) know of any Indian photographers of whites? :-)

[LaughingMan]

are you serious?
or are you kidding me?

Of course no one cares what color you are. YOU"RE WHITE!!!!
And of course you can just go ahead and do what you like to do without worrying what everyone thinks. YOU'RE WHITE!!!!

That's the whole point. You white people can be so dumb and painfully oblivious sometimes, it just defies credulity. And then to offer your own woefully cocooned life experience as proof that black people should not have a right to complain about things you know NOTHING about, is the height of ignorance.

When in your life have you ever had to worry about your skin color impeding anything you choose to do? When in your life have you ever had to worry about being stopped by cops in the middle of the night for driving a car that looks too nice to be owned by you. Or when have you ever had to worry about being followed around in a jewelery store by the clerk not because they want to help you, but rather because, despite your $1000 suit, or designer dress, they still think you're there to rob the place? These are things you've never had to give a second thought in your life to, and yet you somehow feel fit to proclaim that black people such as Serena should not be whining when they complain about similar occurrences in their life, simply because yours (your WHITE milquetoast life) has been peachy up until this moment.

[LaughingMan]

I mean, seriously if you don't know enough about it, then please, don't expose that ignorance; it just makes you look bad and awfully insensitive. But then again, maybe you don't care that you do, and maybe that's the whole point. It maybe as you say, time to leave the building, but clearly its time for YOU to get a clue.

[NationalTreasure]

Serena has long been on the record stating that John McEnroe is one of her greatest tennis heros and tennis role model
also, the most visible faces and voices of American tennis in the USTA and Fed Cup, on NBC, CBS and ESPN and in TV and print ads have been the McEnroes a couple of the worst behaived tennis players to ever hit the professional courts
throughout the past 40 years it has been deplorable to hear and see the talking heads on TV suck up to the McEnroes as though they were the equivalent to royalty and replay ad nauseum matches that show John McEnroe having meltdowns, yet, now the USTA and the talking heads suddenly want to renounce bad behavior
tennis has used and, profited from the antics and high drama of misbehaving tennis players to garner interest and viewers in tennis programing

[4theEarth]

There is no denying Serena's formidable talent. She is a champion and no one can dispute that. However, her behavior was not befitting her champion status, and it was devoid of any civility (to say the least). It is not the first time she has behaved like a bully, but it is the first time she has been called on it. It is where she parts company from her sister, Venus, who is a classy lady. Venus herself is a true champion both on and off the court and her little sister would do well to emulate her.

[Mach8]

It's not the first time she has had a BS call on her either. The Williams sisters had had to deal with crap like this their entire careers. It's hard enough to compete against an opponent, even harder when the deck is stacked against you. But you probably wouldn't understand that.

[4theEarth]

If you are trying to say that she has gotten bad calls because she is black, give it a rest. All tennis players - pretty much all athletes - have gotten bad calls, regardless of their color. Most handled it better than she did. So don't try to make this a racist issue, because it is not.

[FDRbyGodDemocrat]

Linespeople make mistakes. Chair umpires make mistakes. Players make mistakes. Even on critical points. And I've seen the bad calls against almost every player on the tour at one time or another and no one talked about a "plot" against any of them ferchrissakes. Connors, Mac, Nastase--all of them were abusive on bad calls. But I don't remember anyone else threatening to shove an f-ing ball down someone's f-ing throat. That should cost her big time.

That being said, the Williams sisters are generally two of the nicest people on the tour. I have seen Venus stay in a stadium signing autographs after she had lost a match, and believe me that almost NEVER happens--a player loses, they pack and head for the door. This was very atypical behaviour for Serena. I don't know what generated it, and I doubt that it will ever happen again, but it will still cost her. And it should.

[ataha]

Oh please.. this is not about bias or race or anything else. What she said was disrespectful and just plain rude.

[len501]

If that's the case, then everybody needs to take a chill pill and relax. She has admitted that she made a mistake and has apologized for it. For many however, that is not enough. They are looking for their pound of flesh, but I hope Serena stands firm and does not give it to them.

[LaughingMan]

......so how come Roger Federer gets a pass?

[noudidnt]

Excellent question

[greenwitch]

Maybe because Federer just used profanity---he didn't threaten to shove a tennis ball down the ump's throat. See the difference?

[liamd1]

Curiously, Serena said she thought she foot-faulted. "I'm pretty sure I did," she said. "If she called a foot fault, she must have seen a foot fault. I mean, she was doing her job. I'm not going to knock her for not doing her job." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/richard_deitsch/09/13/serena.meltdown/index.html?eref=sihpT1#ixzz0R35RiRJv