Code Insider: Aussie bad boy hit with whopping fine, WHOOP to send underwear to players as Aus Open row escalates

Kyrgios’ expletive-laden outburst during his first-round doubles loss with Thanasi Kokkinakis drew a $2,000 USD fine (approximately $2859 AUD) from tournament officials, while Tsitsipas was sanctioned $5,000 USD for an indiscretion during his second-round defeat to Tomas Machac.

Only one women’s player has received a fine so far – American Whitney Osuigwe during qualifying.

It will not be known until the end of the week whether US star Coco Gauff receives a fine for the demolition of her racquet in the tunnel underneath Rod Laver Arena following her quarterfinal defeat on Tuesday night.

Gauff said she waited until she believed she was “in private” to release her frustrations following the match, and a sanction would be controversial given it was picked up by the broadcaster’s “behind the scenes” cameras.

“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. Maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room,” Gauff said on Tuesday.

The fines issued at grand slams are contributed to the ITF’s “Grand Slam Player Development Programme”, which issues grants to junior and professional players for training, development and travel costs.

Last year’s Australian Open was poised to be far more lucrative for the fund, with almost $170,000 AUD raised – more than half of that paid by eccentric Russian star Daniil Medvedev.

Medevev coughed up $10,000 USD for managing to break a net camera while smashing his racquet in the first-round last year, and then was charged a further $66,000 USD for a second outburst in his following marathon match against Learner Tien – amounting to almost $110,000 AUD in total.

STRIP SEARCHES? FITNESS SAGA GOES TO NEXT LEVEL

Could we be seeing strip searches on centre court as the tournament reaches its climax? 

Fitness tracking giant WHOOP is leaning into its stand-off with grand slam officials, shipping a range of hi-tech undergarments to the top tennis stars in an apparent bid to circumvent tournament rules. 

Players including top-ranked men’s and women’s players Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, plus world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, are among a number of players ordered to remove wearable tracking devices during matches. 

The devices are permitted to be worn at all tournaments except for the four grand slams, despite some apparent confusion between players and officials. 

But WHOOP chief executive and founder Will Ahmed declared on Wednesday morning that they were stepping things up a notch. 

“We are here at WHOOP headquarters in the wake of an enormous scandal with the Australian Open,” he said in a video posted to social media. 

“The Australian Open has come out saying that the world’s best tennis players cannot wear their WHOOP during matches. This is in direct contradiction to the work we’ve done with the International Tennis Federation that says that WHOOP can be worn in matches, and it’s safe to do so. 

“We are going to be shipping out our WHOOP body apparel ... you can wear WHOOP in your undergarments. We will be shipping boxers, bras and underwear to the world’s best tennis players at the Australian Open, and that will allow them to be wearing these garments in matches, should they so choose. 

“Ultimately we’re here to protect the players’ interests and their right to understand their health and performance.”

Tournament organisers have been contacted for comment. 

DEMON A GOOD SAMARITAN

While Australian Alex de Minaur has been left to lick his wounds after a shattering straight-sets quarter-final loss, he is turning to a heartwarming venture in his next move off the court.

De Minaur is the first-ever child sponsor for World Vision’s new Amazon tri-border region, and is already making an impact in an emotional video that captures what his involvement means to the local community.

In what is one of the most remote and fragile environments on the planet, the program spans Brazil, Columbia and Peru amid significant challenges of extreme poverty, preventable disease, malnutrition, violence and limited access to education.

That’s not stopping young Katherin Sofia, who is determined to become a doctor.

The tennis star has been appointed as her sponsor, with Katherin saying through tears that she just wants to give him “a hug”.

“It’s nice to choose someone you’ve always wanted as a godfather,” she said through a translator.

De Minaur was clearly impacted.

“She looks like an incredible human being,” he said.

“I loved her smile, the fact she wants to become a doctor when she’s older. Hopefully I can give her the needs and resources necessary for her to grow up (and achieve that).”

The ‘Demon’, who was sent packing from the Australian Open by champion Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, said that “no child should be defined by the challenges they’re born into”.

“Sport has opened so many doors for me, and I want to use that privilege to help open doors for others,” he said.

“Sponsoring a child is important to me because it provides consistent, long-term support.

It empowers a child as they grow, right through to adulthood.

“And what I love is that it doesn’t stop at one child. When you sponsor, you’re helping lift up their brothers and sisters, their classmates, their whole community.

“One child sponsored means five lives changed.

“If I can use my voice to help give kids the chance to grow up healthy, safe and hopeful about their future, that’s something I’m proud to do.

“Every child deserves the chance to thrive. If we each do a little, together it adds up to something powerful.”

WEDDING FUND SORTED

The Maddison Inglis-Jason Kubler fund at the Australian Open keeps rising.

Inglis pocketed a cool $480,000 for making the fourth round at the pair’s home grand slam – plus a swag of new kitchen goodies thanks to Smeg Australia – while it’s over to fiancee Kubler to keep them in the mix to raise the bat for a million-dollar tournament.

Kubler is playing on Thursday in the men’s doubles semi-final alongside Marc Polmans, where they could boost their prizemoney to $485,000 as a pair by making the final.

If they go on to win, Inglis and Kubler’s combined tournament total will top $1.1 million for the fortnight.

FORMER MELBOURNE PARK VILLAIN SPEAKS UP

It’s the question that has dogged American competitors at this year’s Australian Open – and one that almost every US star has brushed aside with disdain.

It generally goes something like this: “What are your thoughts on what is happening in the US, with President Donald Trump and with ICE (the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement)?”

And, defeated women’s star Coco Gauff aside, has largely been met with disgruntled looks, five-word responses and no enthusiasm whatsoever for the debate.

“Sorry, I don’t really want to talk about that right now,” said rising star Learner Tien after his fourth-round defeat on Tuesday.

Earlier in the tournament, world No. 9 Taylor Fritz was visibly frustrated when asked about how he was feeling with the situation back in his homeland.

“I mean, I’m not sure what we’re specifically talking about. But there is a lot going on in the US.

“And I don’t know, I feel like whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline, and it’s gonna get taken out of context.

“So I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament.”

However veteran US star Danielle Collins – a notable absentee from this year’s tournament due to a back complaint – broke ranks to speak up about the issues that are dividing America at the moment.

Collins, who leant into her status as an Australian Open villain en route to the 2022 final, spoke passionately about the situation when asked by a fan to “speak on what’s happening in America right now”.

She spoke of there being a “lack of empathy” for those who are suffering in the USA, of children being removed from their parents and the “traumatic events” unfolding right now.

“It’s been hard to find the right words or words at all … The lack of empathy so many people have towards those who may have been dealt a different set of cards in life has been really sad to see,” Collins explained in a lengthy post.

“I don’t understand why bad things continue to happen to good people, or why children have to get taken from their parents or watch their parents disappear.

“The lack of compassion and empathy for humanity that we keep seeing in these horrific videos is beyond devastating. My heart goes out to every single person facing injustice.

“I really hope and pray God will give back abundantly and ten fold to those who have lost loved ones or are living through displacement, and are able to find self sovereignty after dealing with such traumatic events.

“I also hope and pray that some of the people causing this type of pain and suffering can do some hard work inside the dark places of their heart.”

SERENA SUPPORT A REAL SMASH

Coco Gauff might have absolutely obliterated her racquet in a BTS moment that has set social media alight, but the GOAT has said her phone is always on to offer a tip or two.

Gauff, 21, was caught by broadcast cameras as she smashed her racquet not five, not six but seven times into a concrete ramp after her quarter-final loss.

But she could work on her efficiency, according to 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams.

“Passion. Caring. Matters,” she wrote on X.

“Nothing wrong with hating to lose. Now Coco, when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe ... Serena style.”

Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian also voiced his support for the young American, saying “we love sports because it’s raw, because these athletes put their all into the battle and sometimes (like life) you don’t win”.