Former world No.1 Venus Williams has been slapped with a $US5,000 ($A7,230) fine for failing to front for her mandatory post-match press conference following her Australian Open first-round loss on Tuesday.
Williams was a no-show after suffering a demoralising 6-4 6-2 loss to Brit Johanna Konta at Melbourne Park.
The fine is the American’s second in a year and the biggest ever handed to a woman for shirking press obligations at a grand slam.
Williams was fined $US3,000 ($A4,340) for the same offence at last year’s French Open after losing to compatriot Sloane Stephens.
Konta, ranked 47th in the world, inflicted what was only Williams’ eighth first-round exit in 61 grand slam appearances.
All players are required to attend press conferences after grand slam and tour-sanctioned matches, with the maximum penalty for not doing so set at $20,000.
Williams’ fine will be deducted from the $US34,500 ($A49,895) she earned for losing in the first round at Melbourne Park.