Alexander Zverev has been booted out of a tournament in Acapulco and faces a hefty punishment after repeatedly smashing an umpire’s chair with his racket following a doubles match.
The shocking incident occurred moments after the German and Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo were beaten 6-2 4-6 10-6 by Britain’s Lloyd Glasspool and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara.
The four players shook hands at the net before the men’s world No 3, Zverev, turned to the umpire and aggressively hit the chair with his racket three times, almost catching the official’s leg with one swing.
As the umpire stood to climb down from his chair, 24-year-old Zverev walked back over and took another swing.
Tournament organisers swiftly confirmed that Zverev would play no further part in the Mexican Open, posting on Twitter: “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.”
Alexander Zverev ended his doubles loss against Glasspool/Heliovaara by attacking the umpire’s chair while arguing with and looking at him after each strike. Looks like a blatant act of intimidation and there should be serious repercussions for this behaviour. https://t.co/K1UhFH05M8
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 23, 2022
The ATP has yet to announce any sanctions, but its website shows that Zverev’s second-round opponent in the singles, Peter Gojowczyk, has been given a walkover.
