'Fled the scene'
nypost.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Serena Williams exited the US Open abruptly after losing a first-round doubles match with sister Venus, leaving the court and stadium immediately without attending the required post-match press conference.
- Despite media requests and Grand Slam rules mandating player availability for post-match interviews, neither Serena nor Venus participated, prompting the USTA to announce they would not face fines for skipping media obligations.
- Historically, the Williams sisters have missed 15-20 post-match press conferences, with some instances resulting in fines, such as Venus’s $5,000 penalty at the 2016 Australian Open, but the USTA appears to show leniency toward them.
- The USTA’s decision not to sanction the sisters has raised questions about potential favoritism and the organization's desire to maintain a positive relationship with the Williams family.
- Both Serena and Venus’s futures in professional tennis remain uncertain following their early exit from the US Open.
