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U.S. doubles tennis star Mike Bryan pretended to load his racket like a gun and shoot a line judge over an incorrect call … and the guy was fined $10,000 for the gesture.
It all went down Sunday at the U.S. Open … when Bryan challenged an “in” call during his doubles match against Federico Delbonis and Roberto Carballés Baena.
Turns out, Bryan was right to protest — the replay showed the ball was out — and as part of his celebration for the successful challenge, he pointed his racket at a line judge and pretended to shoot.
Bryan was immediately hit with a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct … with chair umpire Mariana Alves telling him, “I don’t think that was appropriate.”
The U.S. Open later fined 41-year-old Bryan $10K … with U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre telling the New York Times, “We thought it warranted that amount.”
When contacted about the gesture and the fine by the NY Times … Bryan released a statement apologizing for the act.
“We won the point and the gesture was meant to be playful. But given the recent news and political climate I understand how my gesture could be viewed as insensitive.”
Bryan added, “I promise that I will never do anything like this again.”
Bryan — who won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics — ended up winning the doubles match Sunday, but was bounced from the tournament after losing in the Round of 16 on Monday.