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Ugly stepsister

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-15 09:50

Mama Clijsters' fairytale came true on Sunday when she outclassed precocious Danish teen Caroline Wozniacki, 7-5, 6-3, to claim her second US Open crown.

After a two-year hiatus from top-flight tennis in which 'Aussie' Kim married and started a family, her rapid-paced return to the game was validated in full on the Arthur Ashe court and the Cinderella comeback story was completed.

However, as we all know in fairytales, for every girl with flowing blonde locks there is an evil witch or stepsister - enter stage right Serena Williams, whose classless display at the end of her semi with Clijsters the previous day will, unfortunately for the game, live on just as long as the Belgian's heroics.

Down 4-6, 5-6 and 15-30, the American 11-time Grand Slam singles winner was called for a second-serve foot fault and simply melted down. She strode towards the line judge and uttered a foul-mouthed tirade.

The little judge scampered off to the chair umpire, the ump eventually called a code violation - Williams' second after smashing her racquet earlier in the match - and voila, game, set and match Clijsters.

Related readings:  Serena Williams blows her top, and her chance, at the US Open  Drama queen Serena lets 'all hell break loose'  Serena penalty hands Clijsters final berth  Federer and Serena start out against wildcards

In fairness to Serena, the foot-fault call was dubious at best and it's timing, on the verge of match point, harsh indeed but that is no excuse to behave in such a manner, no matter how big a star you may be.

Post-match, Serena, in her usual offhand manner, said she did not threaten the lineswoman and seemed stunned by the insinuation. Umm, lady, if you offer to push a tennis ball into someone's mouth and down their aesophagus, it's not for nutritional purposes.

In women's tennis, Serena, and her sister Venus, are bullies. They are physically imposing and have power games that can be matched by too few when on song. They intimidate opponents and simply overpower them and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that; it's part of the evolution of the game.

However, whereas Venus can handle the odd bad call or defeat with degrees of acceptance and humility, her younger sister bristles and rages against the world.

She's the sorest loser in the game and now has thrust her name alongside Johnny McEnroe and Ilie Nastase as one of its worst for sportsmanship as well.

Serena must be punished for such boorish behavior with either a substantially increased fine or a suspension.

The ugly stepsister should not be able to take anything away from Cinderella's crowning moment.