At the Madrid Open in April, as his rival Borna Coric was ready to smash a winner on set point, Hugo Gaston dropped a spare ball from his pocket into the court.
The umpire calls a let and the point is replayed if it is determined that a second ball interfered with play. The fine, which will be reduced in half with conditions, was challenged by Gaston, 22, in court.
The severity of the sanction, according to the ATP, reflected the fact that the Frenchman had received prior warnings regarding similar situations. The Frenchman ultimately lost the match to Coric in straight sets.
The ATP released the following statement: “Per ATP Rules in effect from 2023, fines related to unsportsmanlike conduct increase by 100% with each consecutive violation in the same season. This was Gaston’s fourth violation for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 2023 season.”
😳 Wouah les images qui crucifie Hugo Gaston qui délibérément lâche une balle et l’indique en plus pour que le point soit rejoué. C’est du pur anti jeu! Alors oui l’amende est élevée mais le geste est d’une laideur extrême. Et il l’avait déjà fait. C’te honte. pic.twitter.com/Epk6bxd5Yd
— Benoit Maylin (@BenoitMaylin) May 22, 2023
Hugo Gaston in 2023
LLLWWLLWLL At the moment ranked no.108, Gaston played his last match on the 16th of May when he had to retire when playing against world no.135 Pedro Martinez Portero in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-3 3-0 .
Currently, during this year Gaston has a composed 16-15 record. Hugo Gaston’s best result of the year was reaching the final in the Vina del Mar Challenger.
Gaston will compete next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of May.
Borna Coric in 2023
Currently ranked no.16, Borna played his last match on the 18th of May when he capitulated to world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Rome (draw).
Currently, during this season the Croatian has a composed 14-10 win-loss record. Borna Coric’s most significant accomplishment of the present season was getting to the semifinal in Madrid.
Coric is scheduled to compete next at the French Open (French Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of May.
Hugo Gaston and Borna Coric faced off just 1 time. Their current record is 1-0 for Coric. When they played, Borna Coric won 6-3 6-3 in the 2nd round in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) on the 28th of April 2023.
