Romanian Hanescu fined $15,000 after spitting incident

Romanian Victor Hanescu has been fined $15,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and tanking by Wimbledon organisers for storming out of his third-round match on Friday after spitting in the direction of the crowd.

Hanescu, the 31st seed, became involved in an altercation with fans cheering for German opponent Daniel Brands, and spat in their direction while trailing 2-0 in the decider.

He was given a code violation for his behaviour and he retired from the match after the following game in which he appeared to deliberately serve a series of double faults.

"Following a review conducted by the Championships' Referee in association with the Grand Slam Supervisors into the incident on Court 18 on Friday evening, the player Victor Hanescu has been fined $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct and a further $7,500 for not using best efforts at the conclusion of the match," a statement from event referee Andrew Jarrett said.

The fine will be deducted from his prize money of $46,780 and he has 10 days to appeal the decision.