Nalbandian fined for injuring line judge

LONDON, June 18 (UPI) -- David Nalbandian was fined $12,560 and not allowed to collect the runner-up winnings after injuring a line judge at a tennis tournament in England.

Nalbandian was disqualified after falling behind in the second set of Sunday's AEGON Championships final. He won the first set 7-6 (7-3) but slipped behind Marin Cilic 3-4 in the second after dropping serve.

He reacted by kicking an advertising sign around the chair of line judge Andrew McDougall, who suffered a cut on his left shin.

Nalbandian, who apologized to McDougall, was disqualified at that point and Cilic was awarded the championship.

The default cost Nalbandian the second-place check of more than $57,000 and 150 ranking points. The ATP said the fine of $12,560 was the maximum allowed.

London police also said they are investigating the incident as an assault after a complaint was filed.

Nalbandian,from Argentina, said he didn't think the incident amounted to a default.

"Sometimes you get very frustrated on court and it's tough to control that and sometimes I do a mistake. So it's very tough to end a final like that," he said. "I agree I do a mistake but sometimes everybody do a mistake and I didn't feel it had to end like that, especially in a final."