ITALIAN Andrea Gaudenzi yesterday became the first player to be fined at Wimbledon this year. Gaudenzi (22) has been fined around £1,000 for making unsportsmanlike comments to umpire Andreas Egli during his first round win over American Michael Joyce.
Tournament referee Alan Mills, in announcing the fine, said."I made a reasonable investigation into the facts and circumstances of the player's conduct and am satisfied the player made unsportsmanlike comments to the umpire as per his report."
Umpire Egli warned Gaudenzi after he lost a point because he thought he had heard a let. One point later he was broken to 5-6 and passed the chair saying "That was so bloody useless. Go and f... yourself."
After the code violation was given, Gaudenzi asked if it had been for saying "bloody useless". Umpire Egli told him it was for what came afterwards.
The fine will be deducted from Gaudenzi's prize money. He has 10 days from the last day of the tournament to appeal.
. The Irish Tennis Umpires' Association is holding an introductory course for beginners at Templeogue on Saturday (11.0-1.0). Would be Wimbledon umpires there have been four to date from Ireland should contact (01) 6601672 as a possible first step to officiating at the highest level.
