Tomic sparks controversy with foul-mouthed rant at US Open spectator

Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has sparked yet another controversy with a foul-mouthed rant against a US Open spectator during his first-round loss at Flushing Meadows in New York.

The 23-year-old maverick was beaten 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/0) to Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia on the old Grandstand court.

During the first set, a visibly frustrated Tomic was heard on the courtside microphones telling the animated spectator in the background to "s**k my balls. I will put my b**ls in your mouth" before adding, "I will give you some money to make you feel good," the Guardian reported.

After the match ended, a composed Tomic apologised for his distasteful comments but claimed that he was provoked by the heckler, who said 'negative stuff' in his mother tongue (Serbian-Croatian). However, the microphone didn't pick up what the heckler had said.

Tomic, the son of a Croatian father and Bosnian mother, had immigrated to Australia when he was a boy.

Known for making controversial remarks, Tomic could face a fine for his unsportsmanlike conduct.

Earlier at Wimbledon, he was forced to apologise for using the word 'retard' in a press conference. He was also widely criticised for turning his racquet the wrong way to face a match point against Fabio Fognini at the Madrid Open in May.

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