The derogatory statement about referee Ana Carvalho at the French Open cost tennis professional Adolfo Daniel Vallejo half of his prize money.
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said at a press conference that the Paraguayan had to pay 65,000 euros.
The Grand Slam tournament in Paris had previously strongly condemned “any sexist statements” in this context and announced “a hefty fine”.
After his dramatic five-set defeat in the second round against Frenchman Moïse Kouamé (17), the 22-year-old told the tennis magazine “Clay”: “Such a match has to be led by a man, it is very difficult for a woman.”
Tennis star Vallejo apologizes
In the almost five-hour match on the Suzanne Lenglen Court, the atmosphere was heated; the many French people in the stands had created a great atmosphere for their young star Kouamé. In these conditions you need “a lot of strength to compete with the spectators,” said Vallejo.
The tennis professional has already apologized for his statements on social media. Vallejo wrote on Instagram that he was “very upset and emotionally disturbed.”
However, his statements were misinterpreted: “I would also like to make it clear that I don’t blame her for the defeat, she showed a good performance throughout the entire game.”
