Brazilian tennis player fined for making an 'offensive' gesture during Davis Cup tie against Japan

After challenging a line call, Brazilian player Guilherme Clezar turned and stretched his eyes in the direction of the line judge during a Davis Cup match in Japan

Guilherme Clezar has apologised for the gesture, which was caught on TV (Getty)

Brazilian tennis player Guilherme Clezar has been fined £1.1k by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for an offensive gesture he made during a Davis Cup tie against Japanese player Yuichi Sugita in Osaka.

After successfully challenging a line call, Clezar turned and stretched his eyes in the direction of the line judge.

The 24-year-old, who is ranked 244^th in the world, apologised after the match but the ITF have fined him for “unsportsmanlike conduct”.

In a statement, the ITF said: “The incident was reported after the match and the TV footage was then reviewed by the tie referee.

“Clezar issued a written apology. The ITF condemns all forms of offensive behaviour.”

Clezar lost the match 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7-5) and Japan lead the World Group play-off tie against Brazil 2-0.

The Brazilian player later wrote on the Brazilian Tennis Confederation’s Facebook page that he “never had the slightest intention to be aggressive, racist or prejudice.”

“We have been extremely well received here and I have an excellent relationship with all tennis players from many different countries on the circuit,” he wrote.

“Even though I didn't mean any prejudice, I recognise the gesture doesn't ring true with the attitudes of respect, enthusiasm, solidarity, emotion and many other things that sport means to us and I want to express my regret and my most sincere apologies.”