Hugo Gaston handed massive €133,000 fine by ATP for intentional hindrance, receives backing from aghast colleagues

Tennis players jumped to Hugo Gaston’s defense after the ATP slapped the French tennis player with a hefty €133,000 fine for wrongdoings during his matches, most recently during his Madrid Open clash against Borna Coric.

Hugo Gaston, who has a career-high ranking of World No. 58, was penalized for intentionally throwing a second ball on the court when the original ball was in play, in an effort to get a let and replay the point during his second-round match against Borna Coric at the 2023 Madrid Open. It has been reported that the 22-year-old was warned by the ATP for similar wrongdoings in the past.

Although Hugo Gaston has been found guilty of the offense, tennis players such as compatriot Corentin Moutet, John Millman and Ellen Perez were furious after the fine amount (€133,000) was revealed. The penalty is reportedly greater than the Frenchman’s on-court earnings this year, which amount to $117,361, as per L'Equipe.

Corentin Moutet hit back at the ATP, questioning the unreasonable fine. He insinuated that the money obtained by such means was being misused by the officials.

“I would like to know where all this money is going, it's shameful to take so much money from someone who has invested his life to be there,” the World No. 61 said.

The Frenchman extended support to his compatriot despite the wrongdoings and stated that all human beings make mistakes at some point.

“All my support for Hugo,” Moutet said.

“It's easy to turn around, to point out the mistakes of others. His gesture is ugly but we all make mistakes though. Except that most are not filmed by cameras,” he opined.

The World No. 61 also fondly remembered Hugo Gaston’s incredible display in front of home crowd during the French Open and the Paris Masters.

“He made French people dream at RG and Bercy, he has an irreproachable attitude 95% of the time but he is human like all of us. He didn't bother anyone when he raised the crowd at RG or beat Alcaraz at Bercy,” Moutet noted.

Similar to Corentin Moutet, John Millman bashed the ATP for making Hugo Gaston pay an exorbitant amount and opined that the fine was unjustified for rather harmless offenses.

“Gaston did something stupid. A €133,000 from the ATP though is ridiculous. You see worse things on a weekly basis. What a weird flex..” John Millman said.

The Australian tennis player recalled that players facing severe charges are treated much more leniently than the dire consequences Gaston is facing.

“Yet players who have been caught doping, abusing ball kids, officials etc get smaller fines than this… behaviour wasn’t good but we we’re kidding ourselves if this is consistent with other offences,” he said.

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"We see less harsh fines for players who nearly kill people in the crowd" – Ellen Perez defends Hugo Gaston

Hugo Gaston at the 2023 Canadian Open

Liam Broady and Ellen Perez echoed Corentin Moutet and John Millman's position and denounced the ATP for imposing a "harsh" fine.

“Hahaha I’m sorry what. I mean we see less harsh fines for players who nearly kill people in the crowd or ball kids with racquets/balls. And a ball drop mid point warrants €133,000” Ellen Perez said.

Liam Broady recalled that English footballer Ivan Toney was charged considerably lesser amount for much worse offenses.

“Ivan Toney got a £50,000 fine for 232 breaches of betting rules. And Gaston get €133,000 for this I’m dead,” Broady said.

As per reports, Hugo Gaston’s fine has been halved after an appeal was made.