Alexander Zverev fined $40,000 for outburst

AFP

World number three Alexander Zverev, who was kicked out of this week's ATP 500 event in Acapulco after violently smashing his racket repeatedly against the umpire's chair, has been fined $40,000 (around AED 146,924) and faces a further review, the ATP said.

Zverev was fined $20,000 for verbal abuse, $20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and will forfeit more than $31,000 in prize money and all rankings points earned from singles and doubles action at the Abierto Mexicano tournament.

The ATP, which said the fines on 24-year-old Zverev represent the maximum per each violation, will also launch a further review of the incident, which could lead to more sanctions from the men's governing body.

In 2019, after an initial fine of $113,000, Australian Nick Kyrgios was given a suspended ban of 16 weeks and an additional fine of $25,000 for "aggravated behaviour" by the ATP following an internal investigation.

After losing in doubles on Tuesday, Zverev approached umpire Alessandro Germani's chair and came perilously close to hitting him as he swung at the official's stand before heading towards his courtside seat, upset over a line call in the match.

The 2020 US Open runner-up approached the chair a second time and again hit it while shouting expletives.

Just before the match ended, Germani handed Zverev a code violation for yelling and swearing in protest of a shot that was ruled in and set up match point.

Zverev, who was the defending champion in singles, apologised for his behaviour.

More from Sports News

  • F1 commission agrees to shorter races from 2027

    The governing FIA's Formula One commission has agreed on Monday to reduce the standard Grand Prix distance from 305km to 290km from 2027, cutting races by two or three laps.

  • Spain extend coach Luis de la Fuente to 2032

    The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced Monday that its board of directors has unanimously approved an extension of coach Luis de la Fuente's contract until 2032.

  • Infantino says he is open to talks over FIFA reform

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed an outside review of how the governing body makes major decisions on Monday, acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-abandoned investment plan had caused concern.

  • Troubled Marseille lose fifth straight as PSG win

    Captain Marquinhos has snatched the winner as champions Paris St Germain won 2-1 at troubled Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, condemning the hosts to a fifth successive loss and a spot in the relegation zone.

Blogs