After the first week, two particular players did not like their time at this year’s Australian Open in Melbourne.
By now most viewers have the seen the replay of Marcos Baghdatis’ meltdown that is sure to make the racket breaking highlights on YouTube for years to come. Baghdatis' crushed four blue rackets in a row during a changeover in a loss to Stanislas Wawrinka. Baghdatis was fined $1,250.
(See video below)
"I hope he gets a share of the YouTube clips," said U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier during the broadcast.
As of Sunday afternoon in Australia, the Baghdatis’ video of his blow up had attracted almost 300,000 hits on YouTube.
Though not as dramatic, David Nalbandian of Argentina achieved a higher fine of $8000 for unsportsmanlike behavior following a five-set, second-round loss to American John Isner two days earlier. The details are not clear, but Nalbandian supposedly splashed water at a doping control official.
"I emphatically deny throwing water on an ATP staff member after the match against Isner," Nalbandian wrote in his tweet. "During the anti-doping control while I was washing my hands the doctor unbelievably accused me of throwing water at him.
During the match, Nalbandian was perturbed when umpire Kader Nouni turned down his request to challenge a line call because he had taken too much time.
Nalbandian states he didn't know the call had been overruled until he had walked to the umpire's chair. By the time he tried to challenge, Nouni said it was too late and gave the point to Isner.
He later said it was "ridiculous playing this kind of tournament with this kind of umpires.
The International Tennis Federation verified that Nalbandian’s fine is easily the highest at the 2012 Australian Open.
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