Serene on the beach in Barbados this weekend photo: Serena Williams Twitter

Updated – Fine to be $82,500

With story from Times Online and New York Times

The word is Serena Williams will not be suspended for her angry outburst in September at the US Open but will receive a fine today from the tennis powers-that-be.

The word from the New York Time is Williams gets a fine of $82,500 plus a two year probation.

“Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock tells The Associated Press that Serena Williams has been fined a record $82,500 for her tirade at this year’s U.S. Open and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another “major offense” in the next two years.

Williams faces a “probationary period” at Grand Slam tournaments in 2010 and 2011, Babcock said Monday.” New York Times

The official in the match, in which Williams was already behind, gave her a fault for stepping on the line. Williams let off an angry string of f-words that would curl hair.

She lost the semi-final match sending her opponent Belgian Kim Clijsters to the finals.

Some speculation has the fine at $1 million (On The BaseLine) but not likely considering she only earned less than half that at the match.

A penalty yes, but real punitive measures would be ruled out as long as Williams is a big draw at tennis matches. How many tennis stars does everyone know other than Serena Williams who is doing a pretty good job of keeping her name in front of the public.

The two year probation could be worse. Another offense and she will pay a fine of $175,000 and be barred from the next US Open. This will be a test of the volatile Serena Williams’ temper.

She apologized twice for the outbursts.

“I want to sincerely apologise first to the lineswoman, the USTA, and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst.

“I’m a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I’m wrong.

“I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it’s not the way to act — win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner.

“I like to lead by example. We all learn from experiences both good and bad, I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result.” Times Online

Related story Serena Williams another sensation at Kingdom Hall