Canadian teenager Shapovalov fined as umpire prepares to consult eye doctor

Denis Shapovalov has been fined $7,000 (£5,623) for smacking a ball into an umpire's face during Great Britain's Davis Cup victory over Canada, the International Tennis Federation have announced.
Umpire Arnaud Gabas, of France, holds his face after being hit by a ball hit in anger by Canada's Denis Shapovalov (Picture: Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP).Umpire Arnaud Gabas, of France, holds his face after being hit by a ball hit in anger by Canada's Denis Shapovalov (Picture: Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP).
Umpire Arnaud Gabas, of France, holds his face after being hit by a ball hit in anger by Canada's Denis Shapovalov (Picture: Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP).

The 17-year-old Canadian hit the ball in anger during the third set of the deciding rubber against Beverley’s Kyle Edmund, hitting umpire Arnaud Gabas in the eye, and was immediately defaulted.

Shapovalov could have been fined up to a maximum of $12,000 dollars on site by referee Brian Earley, but the unintentional nature of the offence and his remorse will have been taken into account.

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The ITF could take further action, imposing a larger fine or even a ban, but a spokesman for the governing body indicated no additional punishment is anticipated.

Gabas was taken to Ottawa General Hospital as a precaution, but no damage to the cornea or retina was found.

He will consult his personal eye doctor in France today for a further examination.

The punishment will undoubtedly be a big lesson for Shapovalov, the reigning Wimbledon junior champion.

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He immediately apologised to Gabas and then sat with his head in his hands while the umpire composed himself sufficiently to announce the end of the match,.

Britain go through to an away quarter-final against France in April.

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