Serena Williams cops big fine over controversial act at Wimbledon
Fabio Fognini and Serena Williams have joined Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic in being fined by Wimbledon organisers.
Fognini has been handed a fine of $US3000 ($A4300) after saying Wimbledon should be bombed.
The volatile Italian ace made the outburst in his native tongue during his third-round loss to Tennys Sandgren on Saturday.
Unhappy at having been scheduled on the small Court 14, Fognini said: "Damn English. I wish a bomb would explode on this club. A bomb should explode here."
He later apologised, saying: "If somebody feels offended, I say sorry. No problem."
Fognini was under the threat of a suspension covering two grand slam tournaments if he committed another major offence after being heavily sanctioned at the US Open two years ago for misogynistic and abusive remarks towards a female umpire.
Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis had played down the incident at a press briefing on Monday morning, saying: "It's in the heat of the moment. It's an unfortunate comment but we readily accept the apology."
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The fine Fognini has been given is at the more lenient end of the punishments scale, meaning there is no danger of him having to serve a ban.
More than 1000 bombs fell in the area during World War II, destroying thousands of nearby homes, and 16 fell on the tournament grounds. One hit Centre Court.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams has also been handed a fine of $US10,000 ($AU14,300) for damaging one of the match courts with her racquet during a practice session ahead of the tournament.
The All England Club is notoriously protective of their hallowed turf, coming down hard on anyone who damages the grass courts.
Also fined today was Serena Williams. Damaged one of the match courts at Wimbledon (understood that it wasn't Centre Court or Court 1) ahead of the tournament with her racquet. Fined $10,000 for her troubles. https://t.co/sCcD32BDaw
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) July 8, 2019
Serena Williams hit with $10K fine for damaging a practice court on the weekend before Wimbledon after throwing her racket.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) July 8, 2019
So Fognini fine ($3000) for saying #Wimbledon should be bombed is three times smaller than Serena's fine ($10,000) for damaging court in pre-tournament practice. The logic.
— Tanuj Lakhina (@tanujlakhina) July 8, 2019
So Serena: $10,000 fine for dinking the grass and Fognini: $3000 fine for wishing a bomb would go off in this club. SMDH🤷🏽♀️ https://t.co/a4dpAW2cdF
— Chip's Girlfriend (@femmenikita411) July 8, 2019
Aussie stars fined
Nick Kyrgios was handed two fines, one for $US3000 from the first round and another for $US5000 from the second round - both for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Australian lost to Rafael Nadal in five sets in the second round.
Bernard Tomic has taken legal advice as he appeals his record-setting fine.
Tomic was docked STG45,000 ($A80,762) - his entire first-round prize money - for allegedly not giving his best efforts during a lame 6-2 6-1 6-4 loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Tsonga and world No.1 Novak Djokovic, along with Tomic's fellow Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman and former US Open women's champion Sloane Stephens, have all questioned the fairness of the heavy-handed sanctioning.
Now Tomic will challenge it, claiming he was sick before taking the court for the 58-minute cameo, the shortest men's singles match at the All England Club in 15 years.
