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Topics: Tennis
Chris Nee
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev is expected to be hit with a huge fine after a spectacular outburst in his US Open defeat by Benjamin Bonzi.
The curious incident began when Medvedev was irked by the umpire's decision to replay Bonzi's first serve after a cameraman entered the court and delayed his second serve as he served for the match in the third set.
"Medvedev went immediately to [the umpire] to protest against the decision and whipped up the booing crowd," reported The Guardian.
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"Although Medvedev then returned to the baseline, he continued to encourage the reaction of the crowd and it was more than six minutes before Bonzi finally hit his serve."
The Russian saved the point, the game and the set before winning the fourth but ultimately losing the opening-round match 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4.
Medvedev is now in line for the wrath of the tennis authorities. It has been reported that he will lose his $110,000 payment for the first round match and be fined an additional $100,000, amounting to one of the biggest fines in the history of tennis.
29-year-old Bonzi gave his opponent credit for a storming fourth set in their meeting at Flushing Meadows but criticised him for his behaviour during what the Frenchman believes was the best win of his career.
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"Daniil started it, and he put oil on the fire," said Bonzi after the match.
Bonzi will play Marcos Giron in the second round after the American defeated Mariano Navone in five sets in the first round.
Medvedev is likely to join the ranks of the biggest fines in the history of the sport.
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In 2012, David Nalbandian was hit with a $69,910 fine for an incident in the Queen's Club final. He kicked an advertising board in frustration and injured an unfortunate line judge and was defaulted from the match against Marin Cilic.
Serena Williams was fined $82,500 in 2009. She was given a foot fault in the semi-final of the US Open to give opponent Kim Clijsters match point before a point penalty for a subsequent outburst at the officials ended the match.
The $113,000 fine given to Nick Kyrgios at the Cincinnati Open in 2019 to become the first player to pay a six-figure fine. He was given individual sanctions during his second-round match for a series of incidents including demolished rackets and expletive-loaded abuse of the umpire.
Frances Tiafoe joined the ranks of the heavily fined last year. Two separate fines of $60,000 were his reward for foul-mouthed rants at the umpire at the Shanghai Masters.
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But the top dog when it comes to tennis fines is a long way clear.
Back in 2020, Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the US Open after a ball struck in annoyance during his fourth-round match struck a line judge in the neck. His fines and forfeited prize money totalled a massive $267,500.