A day after breaking the record for the latest-ever tennis match in ATP history, Alexander Zverev has been kicked out of the Mexican Open for poor behavior.
The world No.3 is facing a fine and even the possibility of a formal investigation after swearing at the umpire multiple times and then hitting his chair with his racket which nearly caught the foot of the official. Zverev and his partner Marcelo Melo were playing in the first round of the doubles tournament on Tuesday. Taking on Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara, the match headed into a final set tiebreaker which is where the controversy unfolded.
Down 6-8, a Melo serve out wide was returned in by his opponent and was called good by the umpire. Even though fans and Zverev argued that the ball landed out. The placement of the shot was directly below the umpire’s chair and therefore he had the best view of it. However, Zverev was furious by the decision.
“Look where the ball bounced for F*ck sake. It’s your line. It’s f*cking your line. You f*cking idiot. F*ck off!” Zverev shouted at the umpire.
Following the outburst the German was handed a code violation for an audible obscenity. As a result of that call Glasspool and Heliovaara moved to match point and went on to close out the win with the help of an ace. The two teams went to the net to shake hands before Zverev completely lost his temper to the shock of the crowd.
Three times he struck the umpire’s chair with his racket out of anger whilst the official was still sitting in it. During one of those swipes he nearly hit the right foot of the umpire. He then swore at the official two further times before hitting his chair once again.
The 24-year-old has now been removed from the tournament by the ATP for his ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ displayed following the conclusion of the match. The ATP rulebook states that ‘Players shall not at any time directly or indirectly verbally abuse an of-ficial, opponent, sponsor, spectator or any other person within the pre-cincts of the tournament site.” Should they do so they are eligible for a fine of up to $20,000.
“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.” The ATP said in a statement on social media.
Zverev is yet to comment on his behavior at the tournament or his removal from the draw. He was the defending champion in the singles tournament.
Under the rules, Zverev will lose all prize money he had won in the tournament so far.
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