Serena Williams claims she’d be in jail for what Alexander Zverev did to umpire

03/08/2022

Serena Williams has suggested that Alexander Zverev got off lightly for his furious outburst in which he smashed his racket into an umpire's chair in a fit of rage.

Zverev was kicked out of the Mexican Open last month for his shocking reaction to losing a doubles match, after feeling hard done by over a line judge's decision.

The German made a beeline for the umpire's chair and smashed his racket into it several times, with one of the blows coming close to hitting the official who was still perched in his seat.

A grovelling apology made on social media afterwards did not save him from being expelled from the event, and investigated by the ATP.

On Tuesday, Zverev learned that he would be fined and given a suspended eight-week ban, the latter of which would not be enforced unless he is found guilty of more unsportsmanlike conduct in the next year.

Speaking before that final punishment had been handed out, 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams appeared to suggest that the German had got off lightly.

She admitted that it was common for tennis professionals to lose their temper on the court – something she has done on several occasions throughout her own playing career.

"Everybody is different. Venus – it's so frustrating playing her because she's on such an even keel," she told CNN. "I'm like: 'Why aren't you angry?'

"Me, I'm the total opposite. It's just my personality, I think everyone is different.

"It's not necessarily about cracking, it's more about passion and it just boils down to your personality.

"I am who I am on the court, and off the court. I'm very passionate about what I do, I'm very passionate about everything."

Speaking specifically in reference to Zverev's outburst, Williams suggested that she would have most likely faced a far harsher punishment had she done something similar.

"But there is absolutely a double standard. I would probably be in jail if I did that – literally, no joke," the American added.

"I was actually on probation once. Like, what did I ever do to get on probation?

"You see that when you see other things happening on the tour. And you think: 'Wait, if I had have done that…'

"But it's okay. At the end of the day, I am who I am and I love who I am. And I love the impact that I've had on people.

"I love the impact that I continue to have on people – now, the impact that I can have on people through companies that I invest in, and having an opportunity to invest in women and people of colour.

"If I didn't have the passion that I had on the tennis court, I wouldn't have passion for what I do now, and I accept it. I'm excited to continue to have that passion."

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