Serena Williams On Two Weeks' Notice

Serena Williams was just two points away from a semifinals exit from the U.S. Open back in September when she began her now infamous tirade at the lineswoman who helped make her departure a reality by calling a foot fault that sparked the meltdown.

Now, nearly two months later, the ITF has announced they will make a ruling on her further punishment within two weeks. She was originally fined $10,500 -- $10,000 maximum on-court fine allowed plus $500 for racquet abuse -- but potentially faces more fines and a possible suspension from the WTA.

"It's in the hands of the Grand Slam administrator, who I believe has now completed his investigation and will be making a ruling within the next two weeks," United States Tennis Association President Lucy Garvin told The Associated Press on Friday. "That's what we have been told -- that Serena would hear, we would hear."

Greg Couch: ITF Let Serena Off the Hook

After the incident, Serena issued her version of an apology. "You guys heard that?" Williams said in the post match press conference. "Well, you know I am from Compton. So you know..."

She did later issue a carefully crafted apology from a PR expert, apologizing to the lineswoman, her fans and the WTA: "I want to amend my press statement of yesterday, and want to make it clear as possible -- I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lines woman, Kim Clijsters, the USTA, and tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst. I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm wrong."

All apologies aside, the ITF needs to take a harsher stand on this incident. $10,500 is pocket change for someone who broke the WTA season prize money mark by earning $6.5 million in 2009. Whether or not the ITF will suspend Serena for the Australian Open is yet to be seen -- although as the most prominent figure in women's tennis, I imagine they will consider the financial ramifications for the sport as much as they will take into account the appropriate ethical punishment for Serena's outburst.

Serena, who will end the year at No. 1, recently pulled out of the Fed Cup along with sister Venus to rest after the two faced off in the season-ending WTA Tour championship finals last weekend.

Next up on her agenda? We'll have to wait for the USTA ruling to find out.

Follow Chris Sesno on twitter: @csesno

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.