For a large part of her career, American tennis legend Serena Williams has been involved in a slew of controversies. The player, although, never bowed down and consistently stood solid with her convictions intact.
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One such incident took place when Williams accused her Spanish opponent of “cheating” during their third-round match at the 2009 French Open. Serena claims that she should have lost the point because the ball struck her body and not because she cheated. We all have heard Serena on court confronting the opponent but this time it was different.
Serena Williams’ unsettling advice to her opponent
Serena Williams defeated Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the third round of the French Open, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and felt she had been unfairly treated by her opponent on a contentious point.
“I’m going to get you in the locker room for that. You don’t know me,” Serena forewarned her adversary. The American was certain her opponent’s arm had touched the ball. Maria Jose Martinez claimed the ball had come off her racket. Williams argued that Sanchez broke the rules by winning a point in the first set after the ball deflected off her arm.
Serena recollected, “I didn’t think the ball touched her. The ball did touch her 100 percent on her arm.” Later, Sanchez called the accusation “ridiculous” and rejected it. According to tennis regulations, ball will be declared out of play when it strikes your body. One point is automatically lost.
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The former world number one outlined speaking with the umpire about the incident as well.
“I said, did you ask her? He said, ‘Well, she’s saying that it didn’t happen; I looked at her dead in the eye,” she addressed. Further, she recounted the conversation. “I said, Why? Just be honest if the ball hit you or not. I mean, hello. It totally hit her, she looked down.”
Williams announced difficult retirement decision ahead of the US Open
The 23-time Grand Slam champion recently announced her retirement soon after making her singles return at Wimbledon, The US Open will be Serena’s final event of her career.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Serena Williams of the United States plays a shot in her first round match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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Watching Williams’ legendary run has been breathtaking. 23 Grand Slams, remained world no.1 for 319 weeks and 4 Olympic gold medals. With an unbreakable spirit, she revolutionized sports and nourished America’s insatiable thirst for tennis. She will bid tennis a final farewell in front of her loving home crowd in New York at the US Open, which commences on August 29.
