NEW YORK (AP) — Fabio Fognini was kicked out of the U.S. Open doubles tournament Saturday and faces a possible permanent ban from all Grand Slam events after vulgarly insulting the chair umpire during his first-round loss in singles.
If the Grand Slam Board determines Fognini committed a "major offense," the Italian also could be fined up to $250,000 for violating the code of conduct.
Fognini, who was seeded 22nd in singles, was fined a total of $24,000 on Friday by the U.S. Open — nearly half of his $50,000 prize money in singles — for unsportsmanlike conduct during his 6-4, 7-6 (8), 3-6, 6-0 loss to Stefano Travaglia on Wednesday. Fognini was cited by the tournament for three violations, carrying fines of $15,000, $5,000 and $4,000. The chair umpire was Louise Engzell.
Fognini's suspension went into effect immediately, so he was withdrawn from the doubles tournament, where he and countryman Simone Bolelli had advanced to the third round.