Serena's Burden (An Opinion Piece)

I am so very disappointed at the situation that took place at the United States Open in the women's semi-final match between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters. I mean I am not even going to go into the call the lines woman made because that is not my concern. But Serena Williams is so I have to take a minute and examine the situation. I have been watching her grow and mature on and off the tennis court for about twelve years now and I must say she has been through it all. She has been booed off of stadiums and criticized throughout the majority of her tennis career. But she still has remained gracious and one of the best through it all.

But let me tell you something. The way she has been treated is utterly ridiculous. I mean I am outraged this is one of the iconic figures of tennis in this generation and she makes one mistake and the United States tennis Association is really going to treat her like this? I mean besides this incident, her mere presence helps the extremely lacking WTA tour. Serena and her sister Venus are two of the most recognizable faces in the world of tennis and without them women's tennis would suffer. Most people that come to see women's tennis come to see them anyway.

What makes me the most upset about this situation is the fact that the media is starting to get it's dirty little hands on it. And of course everyone has an opinion. I have watched several of these shows and many of the Caucasian reporters are having serious issues about how Serena conducted herself. One reporter said she thought it was disgraceful and talked about how her kids would be effected by seeing the event. What people fail to realize is the racial relations related to this incident.

Serena is clearly the dominate player in woman's tennis at this moment and they (the USTA) have clearly been upset about this. They have tried at various times in her reign to distrupt her. Mary Carillo a popular commentator talks about Williams and how she embarrassed the sport by her actions. But what about the sport and what it has done to Serena Williams. Everyone needs to remember the several instances which this has happened before to Serena. I have a theory that Venus is too reserved to display such emotions on the court but Serena is not because she is more emotional and is also a bigger threat to the popular Caucasian stars atop the tennis ladder.

2004 U.S. Open Quarterfinal against Capriati where she was constantly cheated



2003 French Open Semifinal Against Justine Henin where she was booed out of the match (the hand up incident) (Mind you she was right on ever thing, the calls and even the hand up rule)



What about that code violation for the crowds unsportsmanlike conduct????? Not to mention Justine's blatant cheating!!!!!!! I am a justine fan but right is right and rules are rules. Funny how they can be bent for anyone except Serena

Trust me, if this was Maria Sharapova a.k.a. the great white hope in women's tennis we would have heard whispers in the media instead of this onslaught of negativity we have seen over the past few days and trust me I know what I am talking about I have been watching this sport for over 15 years....

Here are some examples of other stars breaking racquets and having outburst and receiving no penalties.......

John Mcenro



Here is another more recent outburst!!!!!



Jennifer Capriati



Roger Federer



So let me get this straight when Federer does it, it's a good thing because he is having a bad day and this release of frustration may help him. Did anyone hear a fine or violation called???? When Serena does it she gets a code violation and a $500 fine from the U.S. Open for racquet abuse??

Fernando Gonzalez



So when Gonzalez does it, it's considered intelligent and a good thing because now he has the crowd on his side and notice he was coded only after smashing it (his racquet) four times.

Andy Roddick



Don't even get me started on Andy Roddick a.k.a the great white hope in American tennis. Look at how he is constantly in the same match belittling the umpire. Yelling at him, asking if he ever finished school and calling him an idiot. I mean really people, did anyone hear a code violation????

Most people would say but why at the U.S. Open she is American right??? No, she is African American and there are completely different standards for us as these videos prove.

Finding Kanye

Well well well, I was talking to a professor of mine today who is a great journalist/writer and we were discussing the incident that involved Kanye West humiliating the young Taylor Swift at the VMA's. She had a most interesting theory that West hurting caused the outburst. I was thinking that since West's mother passed, he has been lost without her. Either way someone needs to talk with this young misguided star before his shine fades. His fame has completely shot to a new level of outrageous antics and stupidity since his mother, who was also his rock, passed.

It is as if he is almost a different person these days. Since she passed, West has put out an album of singing which while entertaining is not his forte. And he is obviously disturbed about where he is in life. Now what am I saying? Am I giving West an excuse from his behavior? Oh no not at all. I am saying that this most unpleasant outburst came from somewhere deeper than the bottle of liquor he drank on the red carpet before going into the event.

All in all, Taylor Swift is a gifted song writer that will be around for years to come if her fame so far is any indication. Her album "Fearless" has gone number one in fourteen different countries. The song "You Belong with Me" which she won best female video over Beyonce and Lady Gaga, shows her tremendous crossover ability by landing as high as number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Amid all of the success her first VMA win will always be tarnished by West's inappropriate actions.