LONDON: Hugo Gaston, a French tennis player, received his fourth unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the season, a fine of 1,44,000 euros (about USD 1,55,000), more than he has earned in prize money so far in 2023. Gaston pulled a ball out of his pocket and threw it on the court during a point in an attempt to get a rematch.

The tour made its decision public on Monday, noting that Gaston's appeal of the punishment resulted in a reduction of it by half, to 72,000 euros (about $77,500), provided that he complies with certain requirements, such as committing no other offences during a one-year probationary term.

According to the ATP, fines for unsportsmanlike behaviour "increase by 100% with each consecutive violation in the same season." Gaston finished 2-5 on the circuit this year, earning slightly more than USD 1,20,000 in prize money. He is a left-handed pitcher who is 22 years old, has a high ranking of 58, and a current ranking of 108. The fine was brought about by Gaston's request for the chair umpire to repeat a point after his April 28 defeat against Borna Coric, 6-3, 6-3, in the second round of the Madrid Open.

Gaston received a wild-card entrance for the French Open, which starts on Sunday, from the French Tennis Federation last week. His performance at Roland Garros in 2020, where he advanced to the fourth round, was his finest Grand Slam performance to date. In Paris, he advanced to the third round the previous year.

Shotgun WC: India's Darshna Lying 3rd In Women's Skeet Qualifications

Vinicius Jr suffers racist abuse and is sent off to Real Madrid 1

Edin Terzic, Borussia Dortmund one step away from winning German title