Hugo Gaston SLAPPED with a massive fine by ATP after being found guilty of an unsportsmanlike act ag

World No. 108 Hugo Gaston has become the latest recipient to enter the ATP fine list. He not only makes the list but he has also been handed one of the biggest fines of the season already. The 22-year-old Frenchman has been officially found guilty of his unsportsmanlike behavior during this month’s 2023 Madrid Open.

The incident happened in the second round during his match against Borna Coric. The Croat won the match 6-3, 6-3 before losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. The match officials had already flagged Gaston’s action and the incident was further investigated before making the final decision.

Gaston was found guilty of deliberately throwing a ball on the court to disrupt Coric. The incident occurred in the ninth game of the first set with Coric a point away from winning the set on Gaston’s service. As Coric was returning the ball, Gaston threw one of the balls from his packet on the court which as per the rules, makes the point invalid.

The rule comes into application when it’s an honest mistake by either the player or the ball kids holding the ball. Gaston was however not so innocent, as found by ATP’s council, and has been reprimanded accordingly. The 22-year-old has been fined €133,000 as he was already on probation for a similar act of indiscipline earlier.

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The fine exceeds the prize money won this season by Hugo Gaston

While the on-court results are not going his way, the behavior of Hugo Gaston has also been on the downside. The Frenchman had displayed a similar act of unsportsmanlike behavior towards the end of the 2022 season. He was then warned and kept on probation for the future.

Gaston’s act in Madrid fell under the probation period which led to the ATP doubling his fine. The Frenchman has won €108,635 in prize money, considerably less than his fine. The hefty fine comes under ATP’s new discipline policy to bring control over the players’ behavior on the court.

The ATP has further clarified that fines can rise as per the tier of the tournament. As quoted by L’Equipe, the ATP states, “The player is liable to a fine of up to $20,000 for ATP Challenger Tour tournaments, $30,000 for ATP Tour 250 tournaments, $40,000 for ATP Tour 500 tournaments and $60,000 for ATP Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, for each violation. The maximum fine will be increased by 100% for each consecutive violation during the same calendar year.”

Gaston will be seen in action at the 2023 French Open courtesy of a wildcard into the main-draw. The Frenchman will be one of the hopes at his home Slam although his form heading into Roland Garros flags a different reality.

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