Serena Williams rolls eyes at mention of ’09 tirade

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Serena Williams has returned to the U.S. Open for the first time since her 2009 semifinals loss, in which she screamed, cursed and shook the ball at a lineswoman over a foot-fault call at the end of the match.

During a news conference Monday, when asked if she learned anything from the incident, Williams replied: ‘I don’t know. I don’t think about it. Are you still thinking about it?’

Rolling her eyes, she added: ‘Oh my God. That was, like, two years ago. This is, like, two years later.’

During the Sept. 12, 2009, match, Williams was two points from losing when she was called for a foot fault. It resulted in a double-fault, moving Kim Clijsters one point from victory. Clijsters went on to win, 6-4, 7-5.

After the call, Williams, who had won three U.S. Open titles, went on a tirade. She was fined $10,000 by the U.S. Tennis Assn. and a record $82,500 by the Grand Slam administrator.

When asked by a reporter what she remembered from ‘that controversial episode,’ Williams was evasive.

‘You mean in the singles or doubles?’ she asked.

Then she added: ‘I just remember I lost, and that was that. I got really popular. A lot of people were telling me they thought I was super cool, that they never saw me so intense. So, yeah, it was awesome.’

The 29-year-old missed last year’s U.S. Open after having surgery on her right foot.

RELATED:

Serena Williams, underrated but unhindered, returns to U.S. Open

Serena Williams defeats Samantha Stosur in Rogers Cup final, 6-4, 6-2

-- Melissa Rohlin

The Associated Press contributed to this report.