Unlike Nick Kyrgios and Others Benoit Paire Escapes Being Fined at Wimbledon Championships 2021

Last week, Benoit Paire received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct during his first-round match at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Playing against No. 9 seed Diego Schwartzman, Paire had suffered a humiliating straight-sets defeat.

During the third set, Paire started tanking and purposely hit returns outside the court or into the net. Observing the Frenchman’s lack of effort, the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, slapped him with a code violation.

In fact, Paire even faced the wrath of the crowd on Court-2. As a heated argument ensued between Paire and the umpire, one fan shouted from the stands: ‘You’re wasting everybody’s time’.

Benoit Paire escapes fined while others face the wrath

According to the Grand Slam rulebook: ?A player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in a Grand Slam Tournament. Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $20,000 for each violation.?

Hence, over the last few days, Paire’s matter had been under review since he had received a code violation for lack of effort. However, tennis journalist, George Bellshaw, confirmed today that Paire has escaped being fined despite handed a violation.

The decision is in stark contrast to when Bernard Tomic was fined his entire first-round prize money of more than $80,000 by the officials at the 2019 Wimbledon.

While Paire escaped the fine, fellow players were heavily penalized at this year’s Championships. Stefanos Tsitsipas, during his first-round loss, was fined $3,000 for coaching while Corentin Moutet has received a $2,500 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Australian, Nick Kyrgios, received two separate fines for audible obscenity to the tune of $5,500. Even, Briton No.1 Dan Evans was charged with a $3,000 fine for the same offense.

On the women’s side, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Kristina Mladenovic received fines for unsportsmanlike conduct. As for Paire, who has won just two of his 19 matches this season, the recent fiasco at the All England Club has been a new low.