Serena Williams escapes with fine for umpire abuse

Reuters) - Serena Williams escaped with a $2,000 fine on Monday when tennis officials ruled that her verbal abuse of an umpire during Sunday’s U.S. Open final was not a major offense.

The American was investigated by the Grand Slam Committee after she unleashed a torrent of abuse against Eva Asderaki, the Greek umpire who oversaw her shock loss to Australia’s Sam Stosur.

Williams, who was on the last day of a two-year probation over an ugly incident at the 2009 U.S. Open, could have faced a more severe penalty, including a hefty fine and a possible suspension, but officials took a lenient line.

U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) tournament director Brian Earley fined Williams $2,000 and the Grand Slam Committee Director agreed that was a sufficient penalty.