Hugo Gaston | ATP imposes a huge fine on the French player after the Masters 1000 in Madrid

Down to 108th in the world, Hugo Gaston is having a complicated 2023 season. In addition to his series of bad results which has been going on for several months, the Toulousain was fined 144,000 euros by the ATP. A substantial sanction in view of the sums collected by the 22-year-old player since the start of the season. The former 58th player in the world has indeed received 114,218 euros in prize money in five months.

The fine reduced to 72,000 euros under certain conditions

Why does Hugo Gaston have to pay such a fine? On the occasion of his second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid lost to Borna Coric (6-3, 6-3) on April 28, he was accused of having deliberately dropped the ball from his pocket on a smash of the Croatian in order to replay the point. The ATP, which had warned him at the end of 2022 for a similar gesture, wishes to sanction him for anti-play.

“Under ATP rules since 2023, fines for unsportsmanlike behavior increase by 100% with each violation within a single season. This was Gaston’s fourth unsportsmanlike conduct offense during the 2023 season.“, explains the ATP. However, the player appealed and the fine “will be reduced to 72,000 euros under certain conditions, in particular that Gaston no longer commits such an offense over a probationary period of twelve months“, adds the instance.