SERENA GETS HIT WITH RECORD FINE

SMH....at them trying to stick it to Serena despite the fact the call was indeed bogus....The NY Daily New reports

that Serena was served with a record fine for her profanity-laced tirade aimed at a lineswoman during a Sept. 12 U.S. Open match.

In addition to the unprecedented $82,500 fine, Williams could be suspended from a future U.S. Open if she commits another "major offense" during a Grand Slam event over a probationary period that will last the next two years, Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock told the wire service.

The penalty, the most severe ever dished out by the London-based body, was meted out for Williams' meltdown during a semifinals match against Kim Clijsters after lineswoman An Shino called Williams for a foot fault - a penalty that led to match point.

"I swear to God, I'll f--- take this ball and shove it down your f--- throat," the 11-time Grand Slams singles champion screamed at the lineswoman, an exchange picked up by television cameras.

Replays later showed the lineswoman's call was wrong.

Clijsters went on to win the tournament, but critics slammed the USTA's decision to let Williams play with her older sister, Venus, in the tournament's double finals after fining the younger Williams $10,500 - out of the $350,000 she had earned on her U.S. Open run.

"I think she should be suspended," CBS tennis analysis Mary Carillo said at the time. "I can't believe they are letting her play the doubles after that. What does it say about our sport if all you do is hand out a fine?"

If Williams has another flareup to violate her probation, she would face a fine of $175,000, in addition to the U.S. Open suspension, The Associated Press reported.

SERENA BARES ALL

Serena is letting it all hang out on the Body Issue cover of ESPN.



GV Says: She looks great....you go girl!

DON'T LOOK FOR SERENA TO CHANGE ANYTIME SOON?

If you think Serena is going to change, think again



"I am passionate about tennis, and I'm never going to stop being who I am," she proclaimed at an M2 party Tuesday night feting her cover for Hamptons mag. "I'm still gonna grunt, I'm still gonna argue, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with being who you are and expressing who you are, but in the right way."

Judging by her now-infamous outburst against a line judge - in which she unleashed a tirade of profanity after being called on a foot fault - Williams isn't the best loser.

But as a woman who plays to win, Williams is indignant that she's been attacked for living in the heat of the moment - and for doing, well, her job.

"People have done and said way more than I did," she argued. "I think it's just [a big deal] because of who I am."

Her plan of attack for the future? Wash her hands of the situation and turn the page.

"I can't say I'm unhappy this happened, because it made me realize I'm human and I can make mistakes, too," she said. "It's good to make mistakes and learn from them. I'm moving on."

That's why Williams is loved: She's flawed but still fabulous. In fact, hundreds of fans flocked to Barnes & Noble's Fifth Ave. store Wednesday, waiting in line for more than two hours so that their imperfect hero might sign a copy of her autobiography, "On the Line."

COME ON SERENA

Come on Serena, you gotta keep your cool girl. NY Daily News reports:

For nearly two weeks, Serena Williams had made a flawless run through the U.S. Open, pulverizing opponents and dominating matches, a seeming lock to defend her title and capture her 12th career Grand Slam.

It all unraveled in unimaginable fashion a few minutes before 11 p.m. Saturday night, with a foot fault, a profane tirade and a code violation that happened to come on match point, after an irate Williams told a lineswoman, "I swear to God, I'll f --- take this ball and shove it down your f -- - throat. "

Faster than you can spell colossal anticlimax, the rackets were down, the match was over, the crowd was incensed and a teary-eyed Williams was leaving the court to a cascade of boos.

The whole flow of the match was no less stunning than the ending. Kim Clijsters, the 26-year-old, comebacking mother ...broke Williams' vaunted serve four times and spent the better part of two sets moving her around and dominating the rallies with penetrating, angled groundstrokes.

Clijsters held serve at love to go up 6-5 in the second, and as Williams served in the 12th game to try to force a tiebreaker, Williams hit a backhand into the net to go down 15-30. On her ensuing second serve, she was called for the foot fault to make it 15-40 - double match point.

An infuriated Williams walked over to the lineswoman - the USTA would not release her name - angrily shook her racket at her and let fly with profane comments. The lineswoman walked over to the chair umpire, Louise Engzell, to report what had been said. Brian Earley, the tournament referee, came on the court to discuss the matter. Williams approached the net and denied that she had threatened the lineswoman.

With the second code violation, Earley informed Williams that she would be assessed a point penalty. A match-point penalty. She got no slack for a call that replays showed was clearly wrong.

In the interview room, Williams declined to disclose what she said to the lineswoman.

"I don't think that's necessary. I'm trying to move on," Williams said. "I'm clearly not happy. Obviously I wanted to fight. I always fight when I'm down."

VENUS & SERENA GO NFL

Serena and Venus have become limited ownership partners in the National Football League's Miami Dolphins.



The announcement that they would become the first female African-Americans to hold an ownership stake in a NFL franchise and two of the few African-Americans league-wide to hold this unique distinction was made by Stephen Ross, owner and managing partner of the Dolphins.

"I am so excited to be part of such a renowned organization," says Serena. "Having spent so much of my childhood in the area, being involved with a staple of Miami culture is a huge honor. We look forward to many championships and much success together with the Miami Dolphins."

Agrees Venus, "I am honored to be a partner in the Miami Dolphins franchise and thankful to owner Stephen Ross for allowing Serena and I to be part of Miami Dolphins history."

GV Says: Get it girls!!

VENUS & SERENA GO GLAM

Venus and Serena Williams grace the pages of the November issue of Harper’s Bazaar magazine glammed up









GV Says: These chicks make it look so easy. I love it.

CELEBS CAME OUT FOR KIMORA

Celebs came out this week for Kimora's Baby Phat show.


Lala and Carmelo were spotted in the front row....looks like these two are still going strong...wonder when they're getting married.

Alexis, Kanye's ex or maybe soon to be wife, was spotted there as well. Word is she was spotted w/ Kanye this week at several of the shows.

Serena was there.

As was Mashonda. According to the rumor mill, she's still going through a marital woes with hubby Swizz Beatz.

LeToya Luckett rolled through looking cute as a button

Danity Kane's Aubrey and Yung Berg were spotted on the front row as well.

new MTV VJ Julissa

Ice T and Coco...can't beleive these two are still going strong

Nina Sky

Pharrell's protege Teyanna Taylor

Hey...it's my favorite DJ Angie Martinez

And of course Aoki and Ming Lee hit the runway with Mommy

At the after party, John Legend and his girlfriend Christine got cozy

Of course Kimora's beau Djimon was there to support...surprisingly guess who was absent...Russell.


Fashionista Andre was there as well to bless the event


These two are cute!!!

CELEBS COME OUT FOR THE BIG MAC

Look who turned 40....McDonald’s Big Mac

A host of celebs came through to celebrate. Ne-yo came and performed.

Serena and...is that .....Sanaa Lathan. I'm loving the weave.



Blu Cantrell. What is she up to these days besides the celebrity circus gig?

Khloe got free from the big house and came through. So did Common. Wonder if he's still pretending he's still not with Serena.

SERENA GRACES EBONY

Serena Williams graces the July issue of Ebony.



When asked about her romantic link to recording artist Common, Serena had this to say, “I think he’s a great guy. He’s obviously a great artist who is timeless and classic. You can’t beat that. But I have to focus on tennis because that’s my goal in life.”

GV Says: Clearly some bronzer or photo shop tricks were used here. Serena is most definitely a 'round the way girl...complete w/ scars and cut marks. On this cover, her skin looks flawless.

CELEBS COME OUT FOR BAPE

Pharell's star power was enough to bring celebs to the Bape store Los Angeles Opening in Hollywood last night.

Of course NERDS/ Neptunes partner Chad Hugo came out

Serena showed up looking rather 'round the way.

Kanye came looking rather disheveled


Robin Thicke and wife Paula Patton came through

JD came looking rather busy

Rick Ross showed up

Omarion was there

Nicole Richie and boyfriend Joel Madden made an appearance

NEW COUPLE ALERT: SERENA & COMMON

Looks like Serena Williams and Common are finally out of the closet. The couple was spotted this past weekend in Miami, where they went club-hopping hand-in-hand.



On Saturday night holding hands the two were seen at a Knight's Head Microbrew party at the South Beach haunt Mokai. Later in the evening, Williams, 26, and Common, 36, were once again spotted holding hands, trying to get into Prive nightclub – but failed since Common (wearing shorts) violated the hot spot's dress policy.

The couple's Miami weekend follows an affectionate Easter-weekend outing in Hollywood, where where they were spotted kissing and getting cozy at Villa lounge.

Interesting....

SERENA & VENUS WILLIAMS HIT UP ESPN

Venus and Serena hit up ESPN’s 10th Anniversary party at Area nightclub in LA.


Dare I say it....Serena looks fab. Finally a short dress that fits her muscular body properly. Wonder if it's a Venus piece??

VENUS CELEBRATES GRADUATION

Venus Williams celebrated her graduation from fashion school and launch of her clothing line “Eleven” in Miami on Thursday. Mom, Serna and boyfriend, golfer Hank Kuehne were all on hand.