BBC News | WIMBLEDON2000 | Zvereva fined for gesture

Natasha Zvereva has been fined $1,000 for making an obscene gesture to the crowd following her women's doubles semi-final match at Wimbledon.

Zvereva and her partner Anna Kournikova were defeated by Venus and Serena Williams.

Belarussian Zvereva and Kournikova, seeded fifth, were beaten 6-3 7-6 by the eighth-seeded sisters on Court One on Friday.

As the four walked off the court however, 29-year-old Zvereva was pictured holding both her arms in the air and with the middle finger of both hands raised.

The fine will be deducted from her �21,335 share of the prize money.

Tournament referee Alan Mills said in his report on the incident: "When leaving the court after the match, Miss Zvereva made an obscene gesture towards the crowd."

Zvereva was found to have violated the Grand Slam code by her "unsportsmanlike conduct".