Sport

Venus Williams hit with hefty fine for shirking press duties

American failed to speak to the media following Australian Open first-round defeat

Venus Williams of the United States serves to Johanna Konta of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open. Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP
Venus Williams of the United States serves to Johanna Konta of Britain during their first round match at the Australian Open. Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP
Wed Jan 20 2016 - 09:10

Venus Williams has been fined €4,500 for shirking post-match press duties following her Australian Open first-round defeat to Britain's Johanna Konta.

The tournament fine is Williams’ second in a year and the biggest ever handed to a woman for skipping press obligations at a grand slam.

The seven-time major champion was fined €2,700 for the same offence at last year’s French Open after she lost to fellow American Sloane Stephens.

Konta, ranked 47th in the world, inflicted what was only Williams’ eighth first-round exit in 62 grand slam appearances. The Briton won 6-4 6-2 in Rod Laver Arena.

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All players are required to attend press conferences after grand slam and tour-sanctioned matches, with the maximum penalty for not doing so set at €18,000.

Williams’ fine will be taken out of the €31,500 Australian dollars she earns for playing in the first round at Melbourne Park and is the second largest for a media infringement since Marat Safin was hit with a €9,100 penalty at the 2001 French Open.

Konta, who had previously lost to Williams in Wuhan last year, will play China’s Sasai Zheng in the second round on Tuesday.

Venus’ sister Serena says she expects her sibling to be back at Melbourne Park next year for a 17th crack at winning the Australian Open.

Serena, who cruised past Hsieh Su-wei into the third round on day three, said she had been watching television when her sister lost but had no reason to believe it would be the seven-time grand slam champion’s Melbourne farewell.

“From what I assume, yeah, but I don’t really know,” said the defending champion when asked if her sister would be back.

“I would assume. She’s never mentioned anything about not being here, not competing.”

Six-times Melbourne Park champion Serena, who is also playing her 16th Australian Open, said having family around on the tour was a real bonus.

“Having someone there that understands the joy, the highs, the lows, the pain, is unique,” she added. “It’s not often in sport, but when it does happen, it is really something special.”

Serena said she would be tapping up her sister for information about her next opponent, world number 69 Daria Kasatkina.

The Russian teenager, playing as a wildcard, upset Venus in three sets in the opening round of the Auckland Classic warm-up tournament two weeks ago.

“I don’t think it’s gonna be easy,” she said. “Any time someone is beating Venus they are more than likely playing really good.

“So I definitely will be ready for that. I obviously will ask Venus what she thought of the match, and I’m sure (coach) Patrick (Mouratoglou) will know everything about her match and stuff. He’s really good at studying.”