Wimbledon: Tomic forfeits pay over ‘poor’ play

Australia’s Bernard Tomic has been fined his full Wimbledon prize money of £45,000 for not meeting the “required professional standard” during his 58-minute first-round defeat by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tomic lost 6-2 6-1 6-4 in the shortest men’s match at SW19 since 2004.

Asked afterwards if he thought he might be fined, Tomic said: “What for?”

The 26-year-old was also fined two years ago for his conduct during a first-round loss to Mischa Zverev.

Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tsonga, 34, served 21 aces as Tomic’s performance was described in commentary as “embarrassing” and “distasteful”.

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Wimbledon officials said that it in the the opinion of the match referee “the player did not perform to the required professional standard”.

Tomic can appeal against the decision.

Sloane Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017, criticised the decision.

“I could see if he lost 0, 0, 0, then that would be something, but he played a 6-4 set. I think now if the tournaments are going to be their own judge and… they’re going to do that, then I can’t say I’m 100% onboard with that.

“Do I think it’s a slippery slope? Yeah, I really do. I really, really do.”