Tennis stars have united to support Bernard Tomic after the divisive player was fined over $80,000 for losing his first round match at Wimbledon in under an hour.
The world number 96 was run down by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in just 58 minutes, earning deserved criticism for his lack of effort displayed in the match.
The 6-1 6-2 6-4 loss was the shortest Wimbledon match since 2002, sparking Wimbledon officials to question Tomic’s ‘professional standard’.
The decision to fine Tomic the maximum amount of $AUD80,629.20 – the entirety of his Wimbledon pay cheque – drew a surprising reaction from many tennis stars at the All England Club.
Bernard Tomic (pictured) has been fined over $80,000 by tournament referees after a lackluster showing against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios (pictured) has defended Bernard Tomic after his poor performance on Tuesday
Nick Kyrgios stood up for his fellow countryman, smirking at the officials decision.
‘I don’t agree with fining the guy all of his prize money,’ Kyrgios said after his fiery four-set loss to Rafael Nadal.
‘I mean, one, Tsonga is an unbelievable player. Two, I think people kind of when they watch Bernard, they just think because he moves a little slow, plays the game a little slower, he doesn’t look maybe as engaged.
‘They just assume he’s maybe not trying or giving 100 per cent.
‘He earned his right to be in the draw. He played the whole year. He’s obviously winning enough to be at the most prestigious tournament in the world.
‘To take all his prize money I think is outrageous.’
Tsonga, who followed on his winning form, breezing into the third round with a straight sets win over Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, called the decision ‘dodgy.’
‘It’s like what I did was not win. It’s like I was just here and I just won because, they said, he didn’t play enough,’ Tsonga said.
‘He’s in the top 100, that means it’s not easy to beat him. I played well to win.
‘I think it’s a little bit too much.’
American star Sloan Stephens (pictured right with Eugenie Bouchard) did not agree with the officials decision to fine Tomic
Tsonga is not the only player thinking the decision will set a dangerous precedent for future performances in Grand Slam matches, questioning the ethics of judging effort based on how a player looks on the court.
American star Sloane Stephens also hit out at Wimbledon officials for their decision to fine Tomic.
‘I could see if he lost 0, 0, and 0, that would be something, but he played a 6-4 set,’ Stephens said.
‘I think now if the tournaments are going to be their own judge (of effort), I can’t say that I’m 100% on board with that.’
‘It’s a very slippery slope.’
‘I think when you start doing that and being the judge of how people earn a living, that’s when it gets a little tricky.’
Tomic’s offence marks the second time in three years he has been fined at Wimbledon, after admitting he was ‘bored’ in a 2017 loss to Mischa Zverev.
Tomic defended his performance in his press conference and insisted he played poorly instead of without effort.
‘I think I played as best as I could. It’s just I played terrible.’ Tomic said.
Tennis fans shared a different opinion on social media, slamming the 26-year-old and condemning his actions at the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament.
Matthew Willis slammed ‘Tomic the Tank Engine’, with others putting their hand up for a Wimbledon wildcard next year.
Tennis fans turned on Tomic and accused him of ‘tanking’ in his first round match
Tomic has been accused of playing simply to gain a healthy pay cheque from the tournament