German professional tennis player, Alexander Zverev, has been kicked out of a tournament in Acapulco for attacking an umpire’s chair with a racket, following a double defeat.
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The shocking incident occurred moments after the German and his Brazilian playing 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 Zverev, the men’s world No 3 in singles, turned to umpire Alessandro Germani 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.
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Tournament organisers swiftly confirmed that Zverev would play no further part in the Mexican Open.
“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco”, the organizers Tweet read.
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.
Zverev has been ranked by the Association of Tennis Professionals as high as world No. 3, and has been a permanent fixture in the top 10 since July 2017. Zverev’s career highlights include titles at the 2018 and the 2021 ATP Finals and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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