Cheat claim ticks off Serena
2007-01-26 07:37
Melbourne - Stone-walling, Serena Williams refused on Friday to name a member of her entourage suspected of distracting her opponent at the Australian Open by flashing sunlight into Nicole Vaidisova's eyes using a large watch.
"The young man is a close friend of mine," said Williams, who reached the weekend women's final over the Czech amid the alleged cheating from her box.
"He's a fan of tennis, he's been wearing that watch every day. I think everyone in the stands wears a watch.
"It's just crazy. I don't know why there's even stories about it."
But Williams, bidding for a third title at Melbourne Park as she resurrects her sagging career, refused to speak further to the issue which is currently under investigation by tennis authorities.
"I just think it's another story for people to fabricate and run off on. There's always something like that."
Pressed by local media, the American reached the end of her relatively short fuse after refusing to agree that removing the watch would be the most prudent course of conduct.
"I don't see why he should take it off, no one saw the glare - I never saw the glare," she stormed. "Vaidisova said she never saw the glare. What more is there to say?
"I'm not answering any more questions about a god-dang watch. This is stupid."
Australian Open and WTA officials are reviewing match videotapes over the cheating allegations. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA