7 biggest tennis fines as Daniil Medvedev punished for umpire outburst and racket smash
Daniil Medvedev was penalised for his conduct during his first-round defeat in Flushing Meadows.
The US Open is almost over, but one of the big talking points came on day one of the tournament, when Daniil Medvedev erupted during his first-round defeat to Benjamin Bonzi. The unseeded Frenchman missed his first serve on match point in the third set. While he prepared to hit his second serve, a photographer ran onto the court, and the umpire awarded him a first serve.
Medvedev wasn’t happy. He stormed to the chair and yelled at the official. Then, he spurred on the jeering crowd, and it took six minutes for them to settle down. After the delay, the 2021 champion got back into the match, but Bonzi won in five sets, and Medvedev destroyed his racket in frustration. The world No. 13 was later fined more than £31k ($42.5k) - £22.4k ($30k) for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the rest for racket abuse.
He wasn’t the only one to receive a fine. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev were among those who received financial penalties - Tsitsipas paid £3.7k ($5k) for a coaching violation, and Rublev coughed up £2.2k ($3k) for an audible obscenity. Off the back of their exploits, Express Sport takes a look at some of the biggest fines given in tennis.
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Novak Djokovic - £200k ($267.5k)
Novak Djokovic was famously defaulted from the 2020 US Open while facing Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round. Carreno Busta broke to lead 6-5 and serve for the opening set, and Djokovic smacked a ball away in frustration. It unintentionally struck a lineswoman, and it was an immediate disqualification.
The 24-time Major winner attempted to argue his case with the officials on court, but it was no use, and he was defaulted on the spot. He forfeited his £187k ($250k) and was fined £7.6k ($10k) for the violation, and another £5.6k ($7.5k) for skipping his post-match press conference.
Frances Tiafoe - £90k ($120k)
Frances Tiafoe received the biggest fine in ATP history just under a year ago, as he erupted at chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote during his three-set defeat to Roman Safiullin at the Shanghai Masters. The American disagreed when he received a time violation and loss of serve at 5-5 in the tiebreak and argued back to no avail.
He lost the match on the next point. While approaching the umpire’s chair at the end of the match, he shouted: “F*** you man. F*** you. Seriously man. You f***ed me the f***ing match. Three f***ing hours and you’re going to do that. Why? You f***ed the match up. Great f***ing job. F***.” Half of his fine was for aggravated behaviour, the other half for verbal abuse.
Nick Kyrgios - £84k ($113k)
Nick Kyrgios was heavily penalised for eight separate offences during his second-round match against Karen Khachanov at the 2019 Cincinnati Open. The Australian left the court to smash two rackets during a bathroom break he was not permitted to take, and was heard calling the umpire a “f****** tool” at the end of the match.
He received five unsportsmanlike conduct fines of £15k ($20k) each, plus fines for leaving the court, audible obscenity, and verbal abuse.
Serena Williams - £62k ($82.5k)
Serena Williams launched an x-rated tirade at a lineswoman who gave her a foot fault during her 2009 US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters. It gave Clijsters a match point, and Williams’ rant saw her receive a point penalty, handing her opponent the win. The American was initially fined £7.5k ($10k) but the ITF’s Grand Slam committee later hit her with a then-record penalty of £130k ($175k) which was reduced to £62k after she stayed on “good behaviour” over the next two seasons.
David Nalbandian - £45.2k
David Nalbandian was defaulted from the 2012 Queen’s final when he kicked an advertising board, which struck a linesman in the shin and left him bleeding. The Argentine had a 7-6(3) 3-4 lead over Marin Cilic when he was disqualified. He apologised on the court. Nalbandian was fined £8.7k (€10k) for unsportsmanlike conduct, and forfeited his £36.5k prize money.
Bernard Tomic - £45k
Bernard Tomic received an unusual financial penalty after suffering a 58-minute defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon in 2019. The Aussie was docked his entire £45k prize money for not meeting the “required professional standard” during his 6-2 6-1 6-4 loss.
Jeff Tarango - £32.7k ( $43.8k)
Jeff Tarango received what was a record-setting fine during Wimbledon in 1995. Tarango thought he hit an ace, but it was called out, and he argued back. He then told a heckling fan to “shut up” and was given an audible obscenity warning, even though he didn’t swear. Things took a turn when the American branded the umpire, “the most corrupt official in the game,” getting another code violation. He then stormed off the court and later received a hefty fine from the All England Club.
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