LONDON _ Serena Williams doesn't plan to sue Wimbledon, even though she made that threat during her match Monday when she was concerned she might slip on the wet Centre Court grass.
Williams, the defending women's singles champion, didn't like the suggestion that she and Svetlana Kuznetsova should continue playing at 5-5 despite a light rain.
She discussed the situation with umpire Marija Cicak and tournament referee Andrew Jarrett. In their initial conversation, Williams could be heard saying, "I'm going to fall. Can't they just close the roof?"
Cicak's response could not be heard, but Williams then said: "If I get hurt, I'm suing ..."
The world's No. 1 women's player, who went on to a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Kuznetsova, later explained she had no intention of actually suing the tournament.
"I was in the moment," she said. "I was on the court. What I say on the court, whether it's smashing my rackets or it's in the heat of the moment ... I have no plans, no future of suing Wimbledon. Let's get serious. That's not what I do. That's not what I am."
Last week, France's Gilles Simon threatened to sue umpire John Blom if his match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrioff were to continue during a drizzle. The match did go on, and Simon was defeated.
"I hate to play when it's raining," he explained later. "I never understood when they are forcing us to go on the court when the court is slippery. I understand. It's just not acceptable for me."
