Jul 20th, 2019

Jul 20th, 2019

Enigmatic Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic has been savaged by the Wimbledon board as his appeal of a $81,000 fine for his first-round meltdown was rejected.

Tomic was sanctioned after his 58-minute straight-sets loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and his desperate appeal fell on deaf ears.

In the latter, revealed by the New York Times, Wimbledon board director Bill Babcock was withering in his assessment of the 26-year-old Australian.

"In your case, Bernard, I am sure you would agree there is no historical evidence to give comfort to the theory that you can reform your behaviour," Babcock wrote.

"Still, if there is a chance for you to clean up your act and demonstrate respect for the grand slam tournaments and the sport (and yourself), then I am willing to give that positive outcome a last chance.

Bernard Tomic is struggling to make the US Open main draw. (Getty)

"Here is the deal: if you do not commit any grand slam code violations in the next eight grand slam tournaments in which you compete, then 25 per cent of your total financial penalty will be returned at that time.

"Admittedly, I am sceptical that you can achieve this reform of grand slam on-court behaviour. Many others, no doubt, would be even more than just sceptical. Good luck and I hope to be pleasantly surprised in the future by your successful reform."

Tomic did receive some support through his opponent Tsonga who defeated the Australian 6-2 6-1 6-4 in the shortest men's singles match at the All England Club since 2012.

"It's like what I did was not win," he said.

"It's like I was just here and I just won because, they said, he didn't play enough."

Kyrgios said people might have mistaken Tomic's laconic nature for a lack of effort (AAP)

Tomic's Australian compatriot Nick Kyrgios was not a fan of the move, calling the fine "outrageous".

"I mean, one, Tsonga is an unbelievable player," he said.

"Two, I think people kind of when they watch Bernard, they just think because he moves a little slow, plays the game a little slower, he doesn’t look maybe as engaged as, I don’t know, say, a Carreno Busta or something.

"They just assume he’s maybe not trying or giving 100 per cent.

"I don’t agree with fining the guy all of his prize money. He earned his right to be in the draw. He played the whole year.

"He’s obviously winning enough to be at the most prestigious tournament in the world. To take all his prize money I think is outrageous."