Australia’s Bernard Tomic has accused officials of ‘mocking him’ after his appeal against a fine handed to him at the Wimbledon Championships was rejected.
Tomic was docked £45,000 following his first round loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at The All England Club for a lack of effort. Winning only seven games during the 58-minute match. The penalty means that he has been stripped of all the money he would have received for playing in the opening round of the grand slam. Something Tomic firmly denies as he blamed the performance on him feeling unwell.
“Flying from Turkey and losing in [the] quarter-finals [there], playing few matches in 40C heat and I was run down and became a bit unwell over the weekend,” Tomic told News Corp on July 7th.
“I then competed with one of the top five players on grass, losing 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. I didn’t lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0.
“From the start of the match I knew I had very little chance because I was feeling down but I thought I would go on court to try [because] it’s Wimbledon.”
An appeal was then launched against the fine by Tomic, who was informed last week he was unsuccessful. Bill Babcock , who is the director of the Grand Slam Board, sent a letter detailing the explanation. In it, he criticised the behaviour of the world No.106.
“A review of your historical record of misconduct at grand slams, never mind elsewhere, provides little justification for an adjustment,” Babcock wrote.
As a compromise, Tomic was told he could be reimbursed 25% of the fine if he shows good behaviour at the next eight grand slam tournaments. Although Bobcock took a swipe at that proposal.
“Admittingly, I am sceptical that you can achieve this reform of grand slam on-court behaviour. Many others, no doubt, would be even more than just sceptical.”
Not the end
Responding to the decision, the 26-year-old has confirmed that he will continue to pursue legal action. Saying the rejection of his appeal was ‘mocking him.’ Other players have also sided with Tomic in the dispute. Both Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic have said that the fine issued to him was too severe. Meanwhile, Tsonga described the penalty as ‘a bit too much.’
“They’re sort of mocking me with what they’re saying,” Tomic said.
“I don’t need 25 per cent in two years.
“I don’t need the money. It’s about what’s right.
“It’s not fair that I’ve been given one of the biggest fines in grand slam history when I didn’t receive one code violation in the match.
“I told them after the match that I was feeling unwell.”
It is unclear as to what the next step will be for the former top 20 player. Although he has said any money he wins in an appeal will be given to charity.
“I am taking legal advice on this. Any prize money that I get back, I’ll give to children charities in Australia.” he stated.
Since the fine, Tomic has played two tournaments on the tour. At the Winnipeg Challenger, where he was the top seed, Tomic lost in the third round. Then at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, he lost in the first round to Ilya Ivashka.
