01 July,2016 08:19 AM IST | | AFP
Controversial Australian Bernard Tomic was ordered to apologise yesterday after he used the word retard in a Wimbledon press conference
Australia's Bernard Tomic returns to Spain's Fernando Verdasco during their Wimbledon first round match on Wednesday
London: Controversial Australian Bernard Tomic was ordered to apologise yesterday after he used the word "retard" in a Wimbledon press conference.
Australia's Bernard Tomic returns to Spain's Fernando Verdasco during their Wimbledon first round match on Wednesday. Pic/AFP
Tomic's comments were branded as "damaging and offensive" by a learning disability charity as the world number 19 once again found himself in trouble.
The Australian made the comments after being asked how he felt being made to wait for his first round opponent Fernando Verdasco to arrive on court for a match on Wednesday.
"I think he was up in the locker getting something taped. When I left, I thought he was leaving, so I just happened to walk out," said the 23-year-old. "I did get to the court prior to him very early, and unfortunately I had to stand on court like a retard."
The learning disability charity Mencap told Tomic to say sorry.
"I'd like the player to apologise and would encourage him to meet people with a learning disability so he can understand why the word is so damaging and offensive," Ciara Lawrence, who has a learning disability and is a campaigns support officer at Mencap, told the Press Association.
