Tennis star, Hugo Gaston, reportedly received a hefty punishment for his unsportsmanlike behavior during his match against Borna Coric at the Madrid Open, recently.

When the 22-year-old Frenchman looked to purposefully drop a spare ball on the court during game-point while behind 5-3 in the first set. Some have speculated that he did it in an effort to have the point replayed.

Gaston received a warning for the same behavior last season and later received one of the largest fines of the year for his contentious actions.

In the 2023 season, this is his fourth infraction for unsportsmanlike behavior.

In a statement via the ATP said:

“Following an incident during his second round in Madrid, Hugo Gaston was fined €144,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Under ATP 2023 regulations, fines increase by 100% for each new offence during the same season.

“Following an appeal, the fine was reduced to €72,000, a reduction subject to certain conditions including no further offence by Gaston.”

However, the player’s coach, Younes El Aynaoui, has not confirmed the specifics of the sanction, per L’Equipe.