DAVIS CUP star Brydan Klein has been banned for six months by the ATP after an investigation into the 19-year-old's racial abuse of a South African opponent at a UK tournament last month. The ban follows Klein being fined the ATP maximum of $14,000, and his suspension from the Australian Institute of Sport.
Klein called Raven Klaasen a "f---ing kaffir" during a tournament in Eastbourne. An ATP statement issued yesterday said Klein, who apologised after his outburst, had been suspended from the ATP World Tour and ATP Challenger Tour, having been found to have committed the "player major offense, aggravated behaviour", under its code of conduct. He was fined a further $10,000 following the investigation.
"The determination said the use of the slur was 'repugnant', and is particularly upsetting and entirely unacceptable for this to be used in a sporting event such as the ATP World Tour," the statement said.
Klein, a West Australian, could appeal against the penalty. He could also have the length of the suspension reduced if he completes a racial sensitivity training course approved by the ATP within the first four months of the suspension. The remaining two months' suspension would effectively be waived by becoming a probationary period; and the additional fine could be waived.
The penalty is effective from July 20 unless Klein appeals against the decision.
A Tennis Australia spokesman confirmed the ban to Fairfax Media after Tennis West president Dean Williams said he was sad but not surprised because of Klein's track record.
"His behaviour since he was a junior has been absolutely shocking, we have seen it in Perth, disgraceful behaviour, now we have seen it on the world scene," Williams told the ABC.
"That is possibly, the most derogatory shocking terminology to another human being that you could possibly do. It is the worst."
Williams added: "It is not the first time he has been suspended", which was why "they have thrown the book at him this time".
"They are fed up with him. It is obviously going to jolt him.
"I am very aware they had to apply a harsh penalty because they had to send a message to young players that they will not tolerate this behaviour. Unfortunately it is rife amongst the juniors."
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I would say the last sentence of this excerpt is most disheartening.
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