On-Court Meltdowns: Biggest Tennis Fines in History
Tennis–with its lack of physical contact–is often touted as a peaceful sport with minimal aggression. But even in this game, emotions can sometimes boil over which leads to dramatic moments that become the highlight of the match. Over the years, some of tennis’s most famous players have faced hefty fines for their on-court outbursts. Let’s check out the most famous ones below.
Novak Djokovic

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Few moments in tennis history stunned fans quite like Novak Djokovic’s disqualification at the 2020 US Open. During a tense fourth-round match, he struck a ball in frustration, inadvertently hitting a line judge in the throat. The immediate fallout was a disqualification and a staggering $267,500 fine, lost prize money, points, and a misconduct penalty.
Frances Tiafoe

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American star Frances Tiafoe made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. Tiafoe had a meltdown during a match against Roman Safiullin at the Shanghai Masters. After a disputed call, he launched into an expletive-filled rant at umpire Jimmy Pinoargote and blamed him for the match’s outcome. The outburst resulted in a $120,000 fine, one of the largest in ATP history.
Nick Kyrgios

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Nick Kyrgios is no stranger to controversy, but his behavior at the 2019 Cincinnati Masters took things to another level. During his second-round match against Karen Khachanov, Kyrgios smashed rackets off-court, berated the umpire, and took unauthorized bathroom breaks. These antics racked up a $113,000 fine.
Serena Williams

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During the 2009 US Open semifinal against Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams was penalized for a foot-fault call at a critical moment. Furious, she confronted the line judge, using language that led to an $82,500 fine. At the time, it was the largest fine ever issued in women’s tennis. Though Serena later expressed regret, the incident remains one of the sport’s most controversial moments.
David Nalbandian

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In the 2012 Queen’s Club final against Marin Cilic, David Nalbandian lost his temper and kicked a wooden advertising board in frustration. The board flew into the shin of a line judge and caused a very visible injury. Nalbandian was immediately disqualified and fined $69,910, which included forfeited prize money and additional penalties.
Bernard Tomic

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Effort—or the lack thereof—was the main issue in Bernard Tomic’s first-round match at Wimbledon 2019. After carefully reviewing the match, officials deemed his performance unprofessional and fined him his entire prize money for the round—a rare and harsh penalty. Critics debated whether the punishment was too severe or if it set a necessary precedent.
Jeff Tarango

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Jeff Tarango made history at Wimbledon in 1995—but not for his tennis skills. After accusing the chair umpire of being corrupt, Tarango stormed off the court mid-match, an almost unheard-of move in professional tennis. His behavior resulted in a $43,756 fine and a reputation as one of the sport’s more volatile personalities.
Fabio Fognini

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Known for his fiery temper, Fabio Fognini racked up $27,500 in fines during the 2014 Wimbledon tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct and language that crossed the line. Fognini’s fines came in increments, with penalties issued after multiple warnings during the tournament. It wasn’t the first, or last, time Fognini found himself at odds with officials.
Daniil Medvedev

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After a contentious match at Wimbledon 2017, Daniil Medvedev threw coins at the umpire’s chair to insinuate biased officiating. His actions resulted in a $26,000 fine, which covered the unsportsmanlike gesture and other minor infractions during the match. Medvedev was also quick to apologize for this gesture later on.
John McEnroe

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John McEnroe’s infamous temper was on full display during the 1987 US Open. Playing against Slobodan Zivojinovic, McEnroe repeatedly argued with the chair umpire and unleashed a string of obscenities. His behavior earned him a $17,500 fine, which was a significant amount for the era.
Boris Becker

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Boris Becker accused Thomas Muster of using performance-enhancing drugs after losing their match at the 1995 Monte Carlo Masters. The unfounded accusation led to a $20,000 fine, as officials deemed his comments damaging to the sport. Becker’s loss of composure in the press conference also caused as much buzz as the match itself
Victor Hanescu

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Alleged heckling from a fan got the best of Victor Hanescu at his Wimbledon 2010 match. He was fined $15,000 for two separate infractions. He swore loudly and allegedly spat toward spectators, then walked off the court in frustration. The fines included $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $7,500 for failing to give his best effort.
James Cerretani

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James Cerretani received three separate fines at the 2012 US Open for unsportsmanlike conduct. The largest, at $7,500, came after a heated argument with officials during a doubles match. Two additional fines of $2,500 each brought the total to $12,500.
Dmitry Tursunov

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Russian player Dmitry Tursunov was fined $12,000 at the 2009 French Open for unsportsmanlike conduct during two matches. The player is popularly known for his short temper and his frustrations, which erupted into heated arguments with officials, led to multiple warnings and fines.
Marcos Baghdatis

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Despite being a relatively smaller fine, the antics involved in this meltdown were no less significant. During a match against Stanislas Wawrinka, Baghdatis sat in his chair during a changeover and smashed four rackets in quick succession. The dramatic display cost him just over $770.