US Open star has prize money taken off her after walking off court 17 minutes into match
Argentine tennis star Luisina Giovannini has been hit with a huge fine after retiring from her US Open match just 17 minutes into it. The 19-year-old called it a day just five games into her first round qualifying match against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti on August 24.
Bronzetti raced into a 5-0 lead at tennis‘ final Grand Slam of the year before Giovannini approached the chair umpire and informed the official that she could not continue due to an injury. The teenager will have pocketed $32,000 (£24,000) just for turning up for her match in New York City.
But tournament organisers have been left less than impressed, handing her a $20,000 (£15,000) fine – more than 60 percent of her prize money. It means the South American will now take just $12,000 (£9,000) back home.
The official Grand Slam Rulebook states that ‘all players are expected to perform to a professional standard in every Grand Slam tournament match.
If in ‘the opinion of the referee the player did not perform to the required professional standard, the referee may determine that the player be subject to a fine of up to first-round prize money.
Players are expected to put their ‘best efforts to win a match when competing in a Grand Slam Tournament,’ with any violation resulting in fines of up to $50,000 (£37,000).
Giovannini’s punishment was revealed after the full list of US Open fines emerged on Monday afternoon. Other notable players to be hit with a fine included British star Arthur Fery.
The Wimbledon semi-finalist was docked $5,000 (£3700) from his $140,000 (£103,000) prize money after comments made to the chair umpire during his second round defeat to Tomas Martín Etcheverry.
