Alexander Zverev kicked out of Mexican Open after attacking umpire’s chair with racquet in Acapulco
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/02/2022 at 14:41 GMT
Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the Mexican Open after striking the umpire's chair with his racquet. The incident came after he and partner Marcelo Melo lost against Harri Heliovaara and Lloyd Glasspool. The 24-year-old approached the umpire’s chair before attacking it with his racquet. He then sat down but re-approached the umpire’s seat to again hit it and shout expletives.
Watch the shocking moment Zverev attacks umpire’s chair with racquet
The ATP have withdrawn Alexander Zverev from the Mexican Open after he attacked the umpire’s chair with his tennis racquet after losing a doubles match.
Zverev and Marcelo Melo lost 2-6 6-4 10-6 against Heliovaara and Glasspool in the round of 16 on Wednesday.
After shaking hands with his opponents, the Olympic champion approached the umpire’s chair and began to hit it with his racquet before heading towards his seat.
However, he again approached the umpire’s chair, shouting expletives and again hitting it with his racquet. The incident can be seen below (caution: strong language).
The crowd audibly gasped as the 24-year-old could be heard shouting that the umpire had destroyed the whole match as he approached the chair for a second time.
“You f****** destroyed the whole f****** match. The whole f****** match,” shouted the German, who narrowly missed the umpire's feet with his angry swings.
Zverev first erupted in anger after a contentious call in the match tiebreaker.
"Look where the ball bounced," Zverev said to the umpire.
"It's 8-6 in the tiebreak, look where the ball bounced. For f*** sake, it's your line.
It's f****** your line. You f****** idiot.
Zverev was later removed from the tournament by the ATP for unsportsmanlike conduct, while the 24-year-old also apologised for his "wrong and unacceptable" attack.
He was due to face Peter Gojowczyk on Thursday in the last 16 singles draw, but his compatriot has since been given a walkover.
The incident came a day after Zverev played his part in the latest-ever finish in tennis history during his win over Jenson Brooksby.
The match started at 1:30am local time and did not finish until 4.55am.
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