Fognini suspended from US Open

Italy’s Fabio Fognini was provisionally suspended on Saturday from further participation in the US Open after three separate unsportsmanlike incidents that occurred during his first-round defeat on Wednesday.

The 22nd-seeded Italian had already been cited on Friday for three conduct violations including one offense in which he swore at match umpire Louise Engzell, who is Swedish, and called her a whore in Italian.

Fognini and partner Simone Bolelli will be withdrawn from their third-round doubles match.

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“Fabio Fognini is hereby provisionally suspended from further participation in the US Open pending a final determination whether a major offense has been committed during his first-round singles match,” the Grand Slam Board said in a statement.

Fognini suspended, has been withdrawn from double by the Grand Slam board. Definitive sanction to be determined. Good move ! pic.twitter.com/xxjIhk7ue4

— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) September 2, 2017

The 22nd-seeded Italian, known for his volatile temper, was in trouble again during his 6-4 7-6(8) 3-6 6-0 loss on Wednesday to Stefano Travaglia when he was heard directing vulgar language towards Engzell.

Fognini was cited for three code violations and handed fines of $15,000, $5,000 and $4,000.

It is not the first time Fognini has been in hot water for being unable to control his emotions.

At Wimbledon in 2014 he was fined $27,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Fognini issued an apology for his behaviour on Twitter.

“First of all I would apologise to you fans, to the referee for what happened,” he posted.

“It was just a very bad day, but it did not forgive my behaviour in the match. Although I’m a hot-head (and though I’ve been right in most circumstances) I was wrong. But in the end it’s only a tennis game.”