British No. 2 Heather Watson has criticized the Wimbledon organizers of unjust treatment after being robbed of £9000 for smashing a racquet during her first round loss to Germany’s Annika Beck.
Watson, who pocketed £30,000 for entering the main draw here, had to bear almost one third of her prize money for “unsportsmanlike conduct”.
This, however, didn’t go down well with the 24-year-old, who accused the tournament organizers of inflicting “excessive” penalty.
“I don’t see it as fair; I was so shocked,” Daily Mail quoted Watson as saying. “£9000 for bouncing my racquet once is a bit excessive, especially because I haven’t done anything like this before.
She further explained that the officials should have been a bit lenient, keeping in mind her track record.
“I had no previous history. I’m not a maniac on court. I don’t do controversial things consistently. It was a bad mistake,” she continued.
“I know it was a wrong thing to do, but it was in the heat of the moment in a match I was desperate to win,” said Watson, who was edged 12-10 in a marathon third set.
Interestingly, this has been the biggest fine so far at this year’s Championships.
