The Serena Williams Show is Better Than 'Real Housewives'

I was going to post something about how magnificent the tennis was today, and the perfect weather, and how great the matchups will be in Week 2.

But after watching the hot mess that went down in the first set of Serena Williams' match against Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, I thought the drama deserved a little payoff.

In the first set, Martinez Sanchez broke Serena on a point in which the ball (clearly) ricocheted off her right arm. ITF rules dictacte that if the ball hits off a player's body, he or she does not win the point. Serena argued a bit and lost.  Her opponent made no attempt to admit to the fact that the ball went off her arm. The officials neglected to force the issue by doing so much as ask Martinez Sanchez whether the ball hit her or not.  I can't imagine that would have been so difficult or controversial. Go watch the highlights if you haven't seen it - but it's pretty ridiculous. The issue was dropped and both players moved on, but after the match in the interview room, we pick up where we left off...imagine the lights dimming and a hush falling over the crowded room...

The following are highlights from both players' post-game press conferences (some bits slightly edited).

Reporter: Can you talk about what happened with the ball?

Serena Williams: ...the ball hit her body and therefore, she should have lost the point instead of cheating.

R: Do you think that she knew she had hit it?

SW: I hit that ball rather hard. She knew it hit her.

Cut to

R: Did it hit you?

MJMS: No.

R: She says it did.

MJMS: Yeah, she said because she want to win her game, you know.

R: On TV it sort of looked like it hit your hand or your arm.

MJMS: ...This question is like, you know, it's like a stupid question, you know.

Cut to

R: Did you use the word "cheating?"

SW: Well what would you use?

R: You should have had the point?

SW: ...It was clearly my point.

Cut to

MJMS: I'm here to speak about the match, not about this ball, you know.

Cut to

SW: I looked at her dead in the eye...Just be honest if you hit the ball or not. I mean, hello.  It totally hit her.

R: Hence the comment, "she better not come to net again?"

SW: You guys heard that?...Well, I am from Compton, so, you know.

Cut to

R: She said that you cheated...would you like to comment on that please?

MJMS: No...it's a stupid comment. 

And...scene.

Enjoy your Saturday night.

-Lena M. Glaser