Williams vows to learn from outburst

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:48

Kim Clijsters moved into the women’s final with a 6-4 7-5 win in controversial circumstances as defending champion Williams picked up a point penalty for a second code violation on match point against her.

Williams said: “I think that I’ll learn that it pays to always play your best and always be your best and always act your best no matter what.”

She added: “And I think that I’m young and I feel like in life everyone has to have experience that they take and that they learn from, and I think that’s great that I have an opportunity to still be physically fit to go several more years and learn from the past.

“I like to learn from the past, live in the present, and not make the same mistakes in the future.”

It was unclear what Williams had said to the lineswoman after the foot fault, and she denied threatening to kill her in a discussion involving the umpire and tournament referee Brian Earley, before realising that was not what she was being accused of.

Asked whether the courtside official deserved an apology, Williams replied: “An apology for?”

When pressed, she added: “From me? How many people yell at linespeople?

“Players, athletes get frustrated. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen that happen.”

The American explained: “I used to have a real temper, and I’ve got a lot better. So I know you don’t believe me, but I used to be worse. Yes, yes, indeed.”

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