Peter Gojowczyk has been handed a €25k fine after he retired from his French Open first round match against Cameron Norrie.

The 28-year-old was 6-1, 2-0 down to British hopeful Norrie when he retired from the match due to a hip issue.

The German received treatment on court by one of the physios, but could not continue as the match ended after just 41 minutes of action.

The International Tennis Federation’s objective was to ensure that all players who enter a Grand Slam main draw are healthy and ready to play, not just appear on court for a brief period so that they can take home the sizeable first round loser money.

Gojowczyk had lost in the final of the Geneva Open to Martin Fucsovics of Hungary, just two days before his match-up in Paris against Norrie.

ITF officials made it clear that Gojowczyk should have pulled out of the French Open and left a spot for a lucky loser.

It is in accordance with a new policy that allows a lucky loser to split the first round prize money with the injured player they replaced, which is designed to protect the integrity of the competition.

“Any player who competes in the first round main draw singles and retires or performs below professional standards, may now be subject to a fine up to (the equivalent) first round prize money in 2018,” the new rule states.

A French Open first round loser was guaranteed to earn €40k. Had Gojowczyk pulled out of the tournament, he would have received €20k.

The German is currently at a career-high of 43 in the world rankings and will have to put all his energy into his rehabilitation if he wants to be fit for Wimbledon.

It's good to see tennis bring in this new rule, but it's unlucky for Gojowczyk that he's one of the first tennis players to pay because of it.