ATP Restores Shapovalov Ranking Points and Prize Money After DC default

Written by Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, August 5, 2024
Photo credit: Mubadala Citi DC Open

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) will approve Canada Denis Shapovalov to keep his ranking points and prize money earned at last week’s event in Washington DC despite failing to utter an audible insult to a fan during his quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton.

The ATP released a statement online on Monday saying, “The sanctions committee has confirmed that the officials followed the correct procedures for not paying the player. However, the committee concluded that the loss of ranking points and prize money, which are automatically applied in the event of non-payment, would be a disproportionate penalty in this case. So Shapovalov keeps the points and prize money, and the $36,400 fine he applied for the code violation.”

The ATP has reviewed Denis Shapovalov’s appeal following his failure to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Washington. The penalty committee confirmed that the officials followed the correct procedures in pushing the player. However, the committee concluded that…

– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 5, 2024

The decision comes after a lot of criticism from players and fans regarding the previous no-win decision that occurred in Shapovalov’s quarterfinal match no. Shelton at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.

Shapovalov, down three match points in the second game of the match, was heard cursing the audience. After the referee issued an unsportsmanlike conduct violation, the tournament manager was summoned to court.

Shapovalov pleaded guilty, saying that the spectator first offended him by verbally taunting him.

Supervisor called the court for match point in the Shelton vs Shapovalov match. Shapo says: There is no need to call the management, just give me the warning that the referee has already done. pic.twitter.com/dPH9Jbln84

– edgeAI (@edgeaiofficial) August 2, 2024

Shelton also spoke to the referee and said he heard what the spectator was saying. However, the referee told the manager that he did not hear what the spectator said, only Shapovalov’s response.

Shapovalov ultimately fell short, sending Shelton to the semifinals.

The ATP has decided that Shapovalov will be fined $36,400 for breaking the code. His total prize money for reaching the quarterfinals is $53,240. Shapovalov gets 100 ranking points, which allows him to climb 33 spots in the ATP rankings today.

The former World No. 10 Shapovalov did not publicly comment on the automatic or subsequent ATP decision. Based on his results in DC, he will now climb to World No. 106 in ATP measurements

Photo Credit: Mubadala Citi DC Open