'This is crazy': US Open star at centre of $60k controversy
US Open officials have come under fire over a controversial decision to penalise one of the veterans of the women’s game.
Tournament officials slapped Carla Suarez Navarro with a $US40,000 (A$60,000) fine for violating the First Round Performance Rule.
The 30-year-old Spaniard retired after losing the first set of her opener against qualifier Timea Babos 6-2, citing back issues.
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"After reviewing reports from Medical Staff and 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.
The Spaniard has a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors on the women’s circuit, making the decision from officials even harder to fathom.
Suarez Navarro, the 28th seed, said on Twitter she’d had "not the easiest weeks" this year due to back pain but did not directly refer to the fine.
"We made our best effort to be ready and play our heart out, but it got really worse during my opening match in New York," she wrote.
"Sad to leave this way from events I deeply appreciate."
The fine for Suarez Navarro left many tennis fans angry and confused about the controversial ruling.
Filed to @AP: Carla Suarez Navarro fined $40K of her $58K prize money at US Open after retiring following 1st set in 1st round vs. Timea Babos. Tournament referee Soeren Friemel says CSN “did not perform to the required professional standards.”
— Howard Fendrich (@HowardFendrich) August 29, 2019
Carla Suarez Navarro has been fined $40,000 for retiring and losing the first round match at the @usopen.
This is crazy. The entities that govern these Grand Slams should not have this much power over players. #USOpen #USOpen2019 🎾— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) August 29, 2019
The “First Round Performance” rule strikes again:
Carla Suarez Navarro is fined *$40,000* after retiring after losing the first set of her first round match. #USOpen— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 29, 2019
That’s absurd to do that to Navarro who is a true professional
— Samm (@Samm92762072) August 29, 2019
I'm not a fan of this.
— Jessica Luther (@jessicawluther) August 29, 2019
Carla is a warrior. Hopefully she’ll win on appeal.
— Chip's Girlfriend (@femmenikita411) August 29, 2019
I hope she fights this, cause this ain’t right.
— Felix Auger-Aliassime Stan Account. (@AramintaHRoss) August 29, 2019
Suarez Navarro is the latest player to cop a hefty fine from tennis authorities after Australia's Nick Kyrgios was docked an ATP record $167,000 for his spectacular meltdown in Cincinnati earlier this month.
Before that, fellow Aussie Bernard Tomic was fined his full prize money of about $55,000 ($A80,000) at Wimbledon last month after a three-set loss in the first round that lasted only 58 minutes.
Like Suarez Navarro, Tomic was also penalised for a supposed lack of effort in the 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 loss to France's Jo-Wifried Tsonga that lasted just 58 minutes.
With AAP