Back in 2009, the US Open witnessed one of the most dramatic incidents in the Open Era of tennis. And at the center of it all was Serena Williams, one of the sport’s greatest champions.
The Match Against Clijsters
Williams, then world No. 2, was facing Kim Clijsters in the semi-final. Clijsters, who had only recently come out of retirement and entered the tournament as a wildcard, stunned the tennis world by beating Venus Williams, Li Na, Marion Bartoli, and others on her way to the semis.
In the semi-final, Clijsters took the opening set 6-4. In the second set, Williams was trailing 5-6, 15-30 on serve – just two points away from defeat. That was when controversy erupted.
The Foot Fault and Outburst
On her second serve, line judge Shino Tsurubuchi called a foot fault, which meant a double fault and handed Clijsters multiple match points.
Williams, shocked by the call, erupted in anger. She launched into an expletive-filled rant, waved her racket at the lineswoman, and allegedly threatened to shove a ball down her throat. The incident left the crowd stunned, with loud boos filling the stadium.
Having already received a warning earlier in the match for smashing her racket, the outburst earned Williams an automatic point penalty – which just happened to be match point. Clijsters was awarded the victory 6-4, 7-5 and advanced to the final, where she went on to win the US Open title.
The Fallout and Punishment
The fallout was immediate and long-lasting. Williams was fined \$10,500 on the spot, the largest fine at the time for a female player. Two months later, the Grand Slam Committee found her guilty of “aggravated behavior,” issuing an additional \$175,000 fine and a two-year probation.
Her probation terms meant that if she committed another major offense at a Grand Slam, she risked suspension from future tournaments, including the US Open.
Williams later apologized, saying:
“To this lineswoman, I would give her a hug and tell her… let’s put it behind us and look ahead.”
A Lasting Legacy
Though Clijsters went on to lift the 2009 US Open trophy, becoming the first female wildcard to win a Grand Slam singles title, much of the spotlight remained on Williams’ infamous outburst.
The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in tennis history, often cited alongside Williams’ later 2018 US Open final dispute with umpire Carlos Ramos.
