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NEW YORK: Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has been slapped with a hefty fine by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) following his fiery outburst during a five-set first-round loss to France’s Benjamin Bonzi.
Medvedev went down 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 in a dramatic clash on Sunday that saw tempers flare after a controversial call in the third set.
At 5-4 with Bonzi serving for the match, play was halted for nearly six minutes when a photographer disrupted a point.
Chair umpire Greg Allensworth awarded Bonzi a first serve instead of a second, prompting a furious reaction from Daniil Medvedev, who ranted at the official and even addressed the TV cameras, quipping: “He wants to go home, guys. He doesn’t like to be here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
The Russian, currently ranked world No.13, went on to smash his racket after the defeat, drawing further sanctions.
Consequently, he was fined a total of $42,500. According to the USTA, $30,000 of the fine resulted from unsportsmanlike conduct, while $12,500 was due to racket abuse.
Despite earning $110,000 in prize money for his first-round appearance, the fines took a significant chunk out of his earnings.
After the match, Daniil Medvedev admitted he was bracing for punishment: “I’m getting a big enough fine, so if I speak, I’m in big trouble, so I’m not going to speak.”
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