Argentine tennis player Luisina Giovannini has been fined $20,000 (£15,000) after retiring from her US Open qualifying match just 17 minutes into it. The 19-year-old stopped playing five games into her first-round qualifying match against Italy's Lucia Bronzetti on August 24, after falling 5-0 behind.
Retirement and fine details
Giovannini approached the chair umpire and said she could not continue due to an injury. She had been due to pocket $32,000 (£24,000) just for appearing at the tournament in New York City. The fine, which is more than 60 percent of her prize money, means she will now take $12,000 (£9,000) back home.
Grand Slam rules cited
The official Grand Slam Rulebook states that 'all players are expected to perform to a professional standard in every Grand Slam tournament match.' If, in the opinion of the referee, a player did not perform to that standard, the referee may impose a fine of up to first-round prize money. Players are also expected to put their 'best efforts to win a match when competing in a Grand Slam Tournament,' with violations carrying fines of up to $50,000 (£37,000).
Other fines issued
Giovannini's punishment was revealed after the full list of US Open fines emerged on Monday afternoon. British player Arthur Fery was also fined $5,000 (£3,700) from his $140,000 (£103,000) prize money after comments made to the chair umpire during his second-round defeat to Tomas Martín Etcheverry.
