Tennis player Hugo Gaston has reportedly picked up an enormous fine after he performed an unsportsmanlike act during his Madrid Open match against Borna Coric.
The 22-year-old Frenchman was 5-3 behind in the opening set when he appeared to intentionally drop a spare ball on the court during a point, with some suggesting he did so in an attempt to it replayed.
As you can see from the footage below, Croatian opponent Coric was lining up a smash on set point when the incident occured.
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Gaston, who was previously warned for the same action last season, has since picked up one of the biggest fines of the year for his controversial conduct.
French publication L'Equipe suggest he has been fined £125,000 [€144,000].
The report claims Gaston has earned £101,000 [$117,000] in prize money since the start of the year after struggling in his ATP Tour level matches and at the Challenger Tour.
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It is, however, said that governing body The Association of Tennis Professionals have agreed to halve the fine if Gaston did not receive another sanction in the next 12 months.
In a statement via the Daily Express, the ATP said: "Following an incident during his second round in Madrid, Hugo Gaston was fined €144,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
"Under ATP 2023 regulations, fines increase by 100% for each new offence during the same season. This was Gaston's fourth unsportsmanlike conduct offence in the 2023 season.
"Following an appeal, the fine was reduced to €72,000, a reduction subject to certain conditions including no further offence by Gaston."
The ATP rulebook for 2023 also states the following regarding unsportsmanlike situations: “The maximum fine will increase by 100 per cent for each consecutive violation during the same calendar year.
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"In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule.
"In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, the ATP Supervisor may refer the matter to the ATP Fines Committee who shall conduct an investigation to determine whether the player Major Offense of Aggravated Behavior or Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game has occurred.
"Prize money earned at that event shall be held by ATP until the ATP Fines Committee has concluded their investigation and made a determination.”
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It must be noted that details of the fine have not been confirmed by the player's coach Younes El Aynaoui, according to L'Equipe.
Topics: Tennis
Jack Kenmare