Reilly Opelka faces potential discipline for his post-match comments about a chair umpire he called the "worst ump on tour", the ATP said in a statement.
Opelka was angered that he received a point penalty while serving for the match in the third set against Cameron Norrie at the Dallas Open on Friday (AEDT).
The towering 211cm American was penalised for swearing while berating a member of the crowd. Opelka said the unidentified fan was repeatedly and intentionally disrupting his serve.
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"Audible obscenities directed at members of the public constitute a clear violation of ATP rules," the tour said in its statement.
"In such instances, the chair umpire has a responsibility to take appropriate action, regardless of the match score.
Reilly Opelka is in hot water after spraying a chair umpire for his handling of a heckling fan. Getty
"The ATP will review Mr. Opelka’s post-match comments as part of its standard disciplinary process."
Opelka went on to win 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
After the match, the 27-year-old was angry umpire Greg Allensworth had failed to stop the fan from disrupting play.
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“Worst ump on tour. He's real bad. Almost changed the outcome of that match just because he doesn't really know what he's doing," Opelka said.
"And he got emotional, when we were arguing. … He didn't tell (the fan) to shut up? He was doing it for, like, three points.
"He didn't do his job, so I had to tell (the fan) to 'get out of here'."