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[ITF Head Francesco] Ricci Bitti also tipped the Grand Slam Committee’s hand on Serena’s US Open implosion, saying that a suspension is unlikely, but a large fine is probable. A decision will be announced next week.

As has been written in this space before, none of the Grand Slam nations want to lose the ticket and TV revenue that would surely arrive with a Williams suspension, but the fact of the matter is that Serena isn’t going to be taught a significant lesson if something of value isn’t taken away from her. If the fine doesn’t cross the $1 million mark, she’s not going to care, regardless of what she said. Serena will likely end the year with more than $15 million in total earnings, on court and off.

"I don't think [an Australian Open ban] would make much sense, because it would penalize the people handing out the punishment," Ricci Bitti said. "For the Grand Slam committee to exclude her from a Grand Slam doesn't seem likely. A significant financial penalty makes much more sense. But it has to be significant enough for the fans [to appreciate] it. Of course it may not be significant for Serena Williams, who earns tens of millions." http://www.tennisreporters.net/index.html