Christo Buchner

Johannesburg –  An Australian tennis player, Brydan Klein, who called South African Raven Klaasen "a fucking kaffir" during a championship in England last week, is paying dearly for it.

Klein, 19, was fined around R110 000 and suspended from Tennis Australia's (TA) Australian Institute of Sport Pro Tour Programme.

Klein could also face further action for his racist comment made to South African's fourth best player. The ATP Tour are investigating the matter and could take further action against Klein.

The TA suspension is expected to hurt Klein the most. The institute consists of an elite group of players whose careers are developed with great care by the Australian government and several sporting bodies.

In several international media reports, Klein apologised for making the racist comment.

"I would like to clarify my position on an incident that occurred during my match against Raven Klaasen in the last round of qualifying for the AEGON International at Eastbourne on June 14," Klein said in a statement.

"During the second set, after losing a point, I audibly used a racial slur. It was not my intention to racially vilify my opponent or cause offence to anybody else and I am deeply embarrassed that I behaved in this manner.

"I deeply regret my serious error in judgment in using this word and I am very sorry for the offence this has caused.

"After the match I called my opponent Raven and apologised for what had happened and also apologised for any offence caused to his support team.

Johann Koorts, chairperson of the South African Tennis Association (SATV), said on Tuesday night that although the incident had been discussed at their meeting, they had not decided on a plan of action.  "We are awaiting the ATP Tour report and will then decide about our follow up actions."