Mardy Fish Spitted at Bulgarian Audience at Hopman Cup

Mardy Fish of the United States of America reacts during the singles match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, 06 January 2012. EPA/BGNES

World No.8 tennis player Mardy Fish spitted in the direction of Bulgarian fans during the Hopman Cup clash between the US and Bulgaria on Friday, according to a tournament referee.

Fish's reaction was fueled by his dented pride and inability to control his disappointment, referee Soren Friemel believes. Friemel has said that he would compile a written report on the accident.

However, the referee does not expect the board of directors of the Hopman Cup to sanction Fish.

Mardy Fish exchanged heated words with his opponent during a shock straight sets loss to Bulgaria's best male player, world No.76 Grigor Dimitrov. The two players continued trading insults during the mixed doubles and had to be warned by the referee.

"Um, I think it's better if you ask him," Dimitrov commented on his opponent's behavior after the game, as cited by The New York Times.

The Bulgarian team, consisting of Dimitrov and Tsvetana Pironkova, defeated the US 2-1 and finished fourth in the tournament.

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