Wimbledon player issued eye-watering fine for ‘abusing staff’ over small inconvenience
Topics: Wimbledon, Sport, UK News, World News, Money
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Topics: Wimbledon, Sport, UK News, World News, Money
It's clear that this year's annual Wimbledon tournament has not been without drama.
With dress-code rule breaks, major game changes and a whole bunch of celebrity appearances, let's just say that Wimbledon has been absolutely full of talking points.
And the latest seems to revolve all around the various fines tennis talent from across the world are being slammed with, with 29-year-old British player, Henry Patten, now landed with a four-figure fine for allegedly 'abusing staff' over a small inconvenience.
Patten, who won the title last year alongside Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara, has been issued with a £9,200 fine after allegedly verbally abusing a member of staff in an incident that took place at an off-site practice court before the tournament began (29 June).
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It's important to note, however, that he has quickly appealed the fine, pointing to 'inaccuracies and procedural failures in the process' and also calling out Wimbledon which 'sought it appropriate to disclose this fine to the media' without indicating his appeal.
In a statement, Patten, the world No 3 in doubles, explained that he had spoken to the tournament referee and tournament director regarding last Sunday’s incident.
"On 2 July, I received a letter informing me that I had been fined and on the same day I responded appealing [against] the decision due to inaccuracies and procedural failures in the process," he said.
"Despite this decision being under appeal, I am disappointed that Wimbledon sought it appropriate to disclose this fine to the media without indicating my appeal, which creates an unfair and inaccurate perception of the incident."
Patten concluded: "At this stage I will merely say that I do not believe that there has been a full or proper investigation, nor has Wimbledon acted reasonably or fairly with due process."
The All England Club published the list of fines issued to players over the first week of the Championships earlier this week on Monday (7 July).
They said 'it wouldn't be appropriate' for it to comment on the matter as it is 'in the hands of the Grand Slam supervisors.'
Tyla has reached out to Wimbledon for comment.
All in all, Wimbledon has handed out fines totalling $50,000 to 12 players so far this year.
Such a figure is more than double the already staggering $20,000 dished out during the same period at last year’s championships. The fines for both years include the qualifying period and the first week of Wimbledon.