Tennis star loses more than 60 per cent of US Open prize money after 17-minute match

Tennis star loses more than 60 per cent of US Open prize money after 17-minute match

Argentinian teenager Luisina Giovannini has been hit with a staggering £15,000 fine after retiring only 17 minutes into her US Open qualifying match. The world No 198 managed to complete just five games against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti before informing the chair umpire that she was unable to continue because of an injury. Giovannini, 19, had endured a nightmare start to the first-round encounter at Flushing Meadows on August 24, with Bronzetti racing into a commanding 5-0 lead. The match was then brought to an abrupt conclusion before the opening set could be completed. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say However, Giovannini’s early withdrawal has proved extremely costly after tournament officials issued her with a $20,000 fine, equivalent to approximately £15,000. That penalty accounts for more than 60 per cent of the prize money she received for appearing in the opening round of qualifying. Giovannini was awarded $32,000, or roughly £24,000, for reaching the last 128 of the preliminary competition. After the fine is deducted, she will be left with only $12,000, approximately £9,000, from her brief US Open campaign. Details of the punishment emerged when tennis authorities released the complete list of fines imposed during the tournament on Monday afternoon. Grand Slam rules require every player to compete to a professional standard whenever they take to the court. LATEST SPORTS NEWS: Premier League star tells Ryan Giggs to 'leave me alone' after being 'peppered' by Man Utd icon Jamie Carragher makes extraordinary Erling Haaland prediction after Man City beat Porto Aryna Sabalenka explains being 'speechless' after surviving dramatic US Open scare The official rulebook states: “All players are expected to perform to a professional standard in every Grand Slam tournament match.” It also gives the tournament referee the power to impose a significant financial penalty when they believe that requirement has not been met. The regulations continue: “If in the o