Former top 10 player Carla Suarez Navarro has stated that she never threw her first round match at the US Open after losing the majority of her prize money won due to a hefty fine.
Suarez Navarro, who was seeded 28th in the draw, was hit with a $40,000 penalty for allegedly failing to give her best effort. During her opening round, she withdrew whilst trailing 6-2 to Timea Babos due to injury. Following her retirement, the Spaniard said in a social media post that she has been suffering from back pain in recent weeks. However, officials at Flushing Meadows has deemed that Suarez Navarro breached the First Round Performance Rule. Where players are required to give their best efforts or face a penalty.
“After reviewing reports from the medical staff and the Grand Slam supervisors, the determination was made that Carla Suarez Navarro did not perform to the required professional standards.” Tournament referee Soeren Friemel said in a statement.
However, this is not the end to the incident with Suarez Navarro officially launching an appeal to the Grand Slam Board. In an official statement published by her management, the 30-year-old has insisted that she always plays her best effort on the WTA Tour and rarely retire from matches. In fact, the US Open was the third time she had retired on the WTA Tour since the start of 2016.
“I have been in the professional circuit for 15 years and I have never approached the sport from a prospect other than respect for competition, fair play and full effect.” A statement from the Spaniard reads.
“Whenever I jump to a track (court) I do it from the conviction that I can complete and win the game that I am about to play. That was my conviction before competing on Tuesday in New York.”
Elaborating further on her injury, Saurez Navarro said she has been coping with back problems in recent months. She explained that her withdrawal from the Bronx Open, which took place a week prior to the grand slam, was precautionary. Dismissing the suggestion that she entered the US Open unfit in order to claim the prize money.
“Together with my team, we do a daily prevention work on my body, demanded after so many years in the high competition (WTA Tour).” She explained. “I also had back problems in the last edition of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where I had won several games despite the physical problems mentioned.
“Our work had been focused on Rehabilitation and at the beginning of the competition (US Open) we were convinced of it (working).” Suarez Navarro added.
Earlier this year Georgian player Anna Tatishvili successfully won an appeal against a $58,000 fine for an offence similar to that of Suarez Navarro. Tatishvili was initially hit with the fine during the French Open.
There is yet to be any comment from the Grand Slam Board regarding Suarez Navarro.
Please share: Translation of the official communication of @CarlaSuarezNava in response to her $40.000 fine during this years @usopen Carla in the 15 years has been a true professional with high ethical standards. pic.twitter.com/3eRRNruw7t
— SvenTennis.eth (@sventennis) September 1, 2019
