Anna Tatishvili has lost all the prize money she made during the first round of the French Open after it was determined that she failed to make her best effort.
The American player, who was born in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, won just one game in her clash with Greece’s Maria Sakkari. During that match, she only won 33% of her first service points and 23% of her second. It was the first professional match Tatishvili has played since October 2017. She has been absent from the tour due to a series of ankle surgeries, but entered Roland Garros with the use of her protected ranking. Which is due to expire on June 24th.
Following the comprehensive lost, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have fined her 46,000 euros. Concluding that she failed to meet the required standards in terms of her performance. The fine has been confirmed by Journalist John Horn, who is at the French Open. The announcement has been posted in the list of fines at the tournament and an ITF spokesperson has confirmed the decision to Horn.
“Any player who competes in the first round main draw singles and retires or performs below professional standards, may now be subject to a fine up to (the equivalent) first round prize money.” The ITF rulebook states.
It is not the first time a player has been punished for their lack of effort in the French Open. Last year Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk was fined 25,000 euros after retiring against Cameron Norrie, who was leading the match 6-1, 2-0. At the 2018 Australian Open Mischa Zverev was also fined $45,000 for unprofessional conduct after retiring from his match with a ‘viral illness.’
In recent years, the governing bodies of tennis have tightened up their rules in order to prevent players from deliberately playing at grand slams whilst injured or ill in order to collect the prize money. Under the regulations, Lucky losers and players who withdraw prior to the tournament split the first round prize money.
There has been no public comment from Tatishvili regarding her fine.
