License to Thrive

"Putting Her Money Where Her (Potty) Mouth Is"

Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 for her profanity-laced tirade at a 2009 U.S. Open line judge and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another "major offense" at any Grand Slam in the next two years.  Williams faces a "probationary period" at tennis' four major championships in 2010 and 2011. If she has another "major offense" at a Grand Slam tournament in that time, the fine would increase to $175,000 and she would be barred from the following U.S. Open.

Williams earned $350,000 by reaching the U.S. Open singles semifinals, part of her more than $6.5 million in prize money in 2009, a single-season record for women's tennis. Her career prize money tops $28 million.  She is an 11-time Grand Slam singles champion and ended the 2009 season at No. 1 in the WTA rankings.