Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov Fined for Insulting Umpire

Top Bulgarian tennis player, Grigor Dimitrov, might face severe punishment over pushing and insulting an umpire at the ATP Challenger in Helsinki. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's top male tennis player Grigor Dimitrov has been fined EUR 2,000 and may face other punishments for pushing the umpire at the last for the year ATP Challenger in Helsinki, Finland, bleacherreport.com informed.

After losing at the tournament semifinal to Lithuanian Richard Berankis, Dimitrov went off court and reportedly pushed with two hands the umpire Daniel Infanger in the chest.

Finland's Helsingin Sanomat has reported that the 19-year-old Bulgarian not only pushed, but also started cursing the umpire.

The case will be investigated by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The tournament supervisor, Carmelo Di Dio, said it was possible that ATP imposes more severe punishment on Dimitrov.

Antti Aine, the President of the Finnish umpire's association has also criticized the Bulgarian.

"The immunity of the umpire is a sacred thing in sports. You can disagree with calls but this was way out of line," he said.

If further suspended, Dimitrov might be forced to skip the Australian Open, even though his current ranking of 106 would provide him with good chances for straight draw entry.

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