In the middle of Sunday's U.S. Open final, Serena Williams lost her cool with a chair umpire, who penalized her for celebrating before a point was concluded. Williams' outburst will likely overshadow the match's surprising outcome: Australian Samantha Stosur soundly defeated Williams, winner of 13 Grand Slam titles and the heavy favorite coming into the match.
Williams was already down a set and 30-40 when she hit what appeared to be a winner to Stosur's backhand. But before the ball could reach her opponent, Williams yelled in celebration--a violation of tennis rules. Chair umpire Eva Asderaki awarded the point to Stosur, at which point Willliams lost her temper. "Are you the one who screwed me over last time?" she said. "Yeah, you are." (Williams was seemingly confusing Askeraki with a different umpire from a 2004 match against Jennifer Capriati.)
During the ensuing changeover, Williams continued her harangue. Transcript courtesy of Gawker:
"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way, because you're out of control... You're totally out of control, you're a hater, and you're unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow... We're in America last I checked. Can I get a water or am I gonna get violated for a water? Really, don't even look at me! I promise you, don't look at me, 'cause I am not the one. Don't look my way."
This is not the first time Williams' temper has flared at the U.S. Open. In 2009, she famously threatened a line judge who called a foot fault on match point in a semifinal against Kim Clijsters. That explosion cost Williams the match.