Almagro threw in the towel with a calf injury at 4-0 down in the first set against France's Jeremy Chardy, but walked away with a Aus $50,000 ($37,400) cheque as a first-round loser.
Australian doubles legend Todd Woodbridge, a TV commentator, ignited a debate when he said: "Questions to be asked. Did (Almagro) just turn up to take money?"
But according to the Melbourne Herald Sun, Almagro later insisted: "I went to court because I think I can play. I was top 10, I have more than 10 million dollars. I'm not going to play for $50,000. It is not the reason."
"I considered (withdrawing) but I was practising, I didn't feel it during the week. I decided to play today.
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