Benoit Paire has shown support for compatriot Hugo Gaston after the 22-year-old received a heavy fine from the ATP due to repeat instances of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Gaston's fine of approximately $155,000 came after the French player committed his fourth unsportsmanlike conduct incident in the Madrid Open on April 28 whilst facing Borna Coric. During the match, Gaston dropped the ball from his pocket to force a let decision from the umpire as Coric was about to hit set point.
Ultimately, repeat offences by Gaston led to the ATP's heavy fine, although, the punishment's severity has been questioned against a player who only earned around $120,000 in prize money this season. One player to question the strength of the fine is Paire, who argued that such a hefty punishment might push Gaston to retire early.
"It's ridiculous that Hugo Gaston has been fined 144,000. It was reduced 72,000, but challengers will just stop their career in that case. Maybe he took 2,000 in the tournament, and in Madrid he took a bit more money. But he won $16,000, and he has to pay $142,000. I don't understand the system."
In addition, 34-year-old Paire felt that the ATP's decision is flawed and only serves to price lower-ranked players out of the game. Instead, the French player believes that the governing body must find an alternative solution that isn't centred around higher fines.
"I think that you need to do things according to what you earn. You can't ask for more money than what the player is going to earn. Otherwise, why play tennis?"
"I think that we need to find a system because even for challengers, the fines are really high. He took 20,000 at the beginning of the year as a challenger, and now he has 140,000 fine. It makes me laugh, but it's sad. It's a lot of money. That's an apartment, and that's what's crazy."
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