French tennis player fined $16.5k for epic meltdown at Washington Open (VIDEO)
French tennis player Benoit Paire has been fined $16,500 by the ATP for an outrageous tantrum at the end of his first-round match at the Washington Open in the USA.
The world number 55, Paire, smashed several rackets in the third set against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis after he missed a shot, sending his overhead smash directly into the net. At 5-2 down, the furious Frenchman smashed his racket four times on the ground before hurling it off the court.
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Continuing his tantrum, Paire kicked another racket as he walked to his chair – before smashing it into the ground. He also threw two more while returning to court to resume the match, which ended in favour of Baghdatis 6-3 3-6 6-2.
$16,500 fine 😳@BenoitPaire had an epic meltdown at @CitiOpen.WATCH ⬇️ #CO50#CitiOpenpic.twitter.com/DRQIluyTE5
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) 1 августа 2018 г.
To complete his breakdown, Paire flung yet another racket, this time into the net, before approaching Baghdatis for a friendly handshake after the match. Paire was booed by spectators as he walked off court following his first-round defeat.
The ATP penalized the player for unsportsmanlike conduct with the fine more than doubling the prize money he earned for his appearance at the tournament.
