Italy's Fabio Fognini suspended, fined for abusive language at U.S. Open
Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini was suspended for two Grand Slams on Wednesday and fined $96,000, further penalties for using abusive language toward a chair umpire in a first-round loss at the U.S. Open last month.
The decision was handed down by the Grand Slam Board -- an organization comprised of leaders from four organizations, including USTA chief Katrina Adams. It comes after the same body kicked Fognini out of the U.S. Open ahead of a doubles match and fined him $24,000. He must miss a U.S. Open as part of the two-Grand Slam punishment.
“Mr. Fognini is guilty of the major offense of aggravated behavior and conduct contrary to the integrity of the game,” the Grand Slam Board said in a statement.
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Fognini was also put on probation through 2019.
“I apologize to everyone, not just the umpire, who I already apologized to in New York, but to all those who felt hurt, women in the first place: I have nothing against them,” he told Sky Sports Italy (via UK’s Metro).
“Being described as a sexist has hurt me because it’s not true: I’m a father, I’m married, I have a mom, a sister, I’ve always loved women, I’ve always respected her, so I’m sorry.”
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