‘Lying and Fabricating…not Fair’ – When Serena Williams Lambasted Belgian Tennis Legend During an Intense Grand Slam Semi-final Encounter

Serena Williams is one of the most celebrated athletes in the sporting world. However, it doesn’t mean she hasn’t tasted the ire of fans at times. Williams who played her career’s last match this season often received stadiums full of supporters throughout her career. But there was a time when spectators dragged her to defeat.

It was in the year 2003 when the fans were irked at the 23-time Grand Slam champion. They booed her throughout her high stake French Open semifinal match against Justine Henin-Hardenne. Here are the details of the incident and how Williams reacted to the same.

Williams’ response to crowd’s behavior and Henin-Hardenne’s not so professional move

The French Open crowd wasn’t in Williams’ favor. They laughed at her mistakes and booed her points. However, the anger of the crowd, containing a great number of Belgian fans, peaked when she pointed out the mark on clay, indicating that Henin-Hardenne served a long shot. Regarding this, post her defeat, she said, “It was just a tough crowd out there today.”

“I think it’s bad when people start booing in between serves. I’m not used to crying. It’s a little difficult. All my life, I’ve had to fight. So it’s just another fight I’m going to have to learn how to win. I’ve got to just keep smiling,” she added.

Though what broke the former World no.1’s focus was when the Belgian professional raised her hand as if to indicate she was not ready to receive a serve. When Williams hit her serve into the net, the Portuguese umpire Jorge Dias claimed he didn’t see Henin ask for time and therefore will not allow Williams to have her first serve again.

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“I was a little disappointed with her,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion expressed post her defeat. “It wasn’t the turning point. I probably still should have won the game. But I think to start lying and fabricating, it’s not fair,” she added.

What Serena Williams lost in that match

The American was riding high on form and was playing as the defending champion of the event that year. Further, when Henin defeated her in straight sets of 6-0 6-4 she broke Williams’ legendary 33 match winning streak in major tournaments, a part of which she earned by outclassing her own sister Venus Williams.

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Between 2002 and 2003, Serena got the better of Venus in five Grand Slam finals ending at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. When she lost to Henin, the younger Williams sister was looking forward to her second major title in the clay courts of France after having almost won a calendar Grand Slam in 2002.