Doubles tennis star Mike Bryan fined $10K for making gun gesture to U.S. Open line judge

Bryan was fined by Open officials after his second-round match with teammate Bob Bryan against Federico Delbonis, of Argentina, and Roberto Carballés Baena, of Spain, The New York Times reported.

During the 12th game of the second set, Mike Bryan received an unsportsmanlike conduct warning after challenging a call, ESPN reported. A lob close to the baseline was ruled in, but was overturned after a video review showed the ball had landed an inch outside the line, the network reported.

After the review supported Mike Bryan's call, he held his racket in both hands and pointed the handle at a line judge, simulating the barrel of a rifle, the Times reported.

When chair umpire Mariana Alves assessed the penalty, Mike Bryan objected.

"What did I do? Just tell me what I did, real quick," Mike Bryan said.

“The gesture that you did,” Alves said. “You did it to the line umpire and did it to me. You did with your racket like it was a gun. I don’t think that was appropriate.”

According to U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre, "The gesture warranted that amount.''

The fine came in the aftermath of a mass shooting Saturday in the Odessa-Midland area of west Texas.

Mike Bryan, 41, a six-time champion in men’s doubles at the Open, apologized in a statement.

“I apologize for any offense I may have caused. 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. I promise that I will never do anything like this again,” Mike Bryan said.

The Bryans won the match; 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, early Sunday morning.