ATP Tour fines Llodra for verbal abuse

Michael Llodra of France left the BNP Paribas Open a little lighter in his wallet after being fined $2,500 by the ATP Tour for verbal abuse during a match.

The incident occurred during Llodra's first-round match against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia last week. During Llodra's three-set victory, he was heard by a reporter to have said some racial epithets toward a group of fans.

The tournament later fined Llodra in accordance with ATP rules. A tournament spokesman says Llodra was also verbally abusive toward the ball kids.

Llodra later retired with a knee injury from his second-round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He is scheduled to play in next week's Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.