Serena 'Got What She Deserved'

US Open champions face off at height of friendly rivalry

(NEWSER) - The women's final of the US Open isn't until tomorrow, but the most anticipated match of the tournament—perhaps of the entire year—is taking place today, when Serena Williams faces Kim Clijsters in the semis. The two have a friendly rivalry, says the New York Times: Both have Open titles, and both made triumphant returns after long hiatuses. Yet while Williams is the world No. 2, Clijsters is unranked; she just came back to tennis after giving birth to a daughter. More»

Williams ordered to pay up after letting loose

(NEWSER) - How much cash will Serena Williams lose for calling the chair umpire a "hater" (among many other things) yesterday? Just $2,000, which sounds puny, and sounds even punier when you consider that's just 0.14% of the $1.4 million Williams earned at the US Open. The AP reports that the US Tennis Association notes that the fine "is consistent with similar offenses at Grand Slam events." More»

Federer throws together 'Hit for Haiti,' raises big bucks

(NEWSER) - Stars of the tennis universe got together today to hit a few—and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Haiti earthquake relief. Less than a day before the start of the Australian Open, Roger Federer threw together "Hit for Haiti," a slate of doubles matches enlivened by the miked players, who included Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Lleyton Hewitt, Kim Clijsters, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Roddick. More»

Williams could be barred from up to two tournaments

(NEWSER) - The International Tennis Federation is still mulling a number of penalties for Serena Williams' courtside tirade at the US Open and could end up suspending her from key tournaments. Williams has already been fined $10,500 by the US Tennis Association and has apologized for her obscenity-laced rant in which she threatened to "kill" a lineswoman who called a foot fault against her. The ITF has taken statements from witnesses, and Williams has two more weeks to present her side of the story. More»

(AP) - The Williams sisters won the US Open women's doubles title this afternoon, less than 2 days after Serena's ugly exit in the singles semifinals. In an incident-free match, Serena and Venus defeated defending champions Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-2, 6-2 for their 10th career Grand Slam doubles title and first at Flushing Meadows since 1999. They are now 10-0 in Grand Slam women's doubles finals. More»