ATP Kicks Out Alexander Zverev From Acapulco Tournament After an Attempt to Hit the Chair Umpire

In what could easily be called one of the disappointing start to a season, Alexander Zverev is having a difficult run on the ATP tour this year. While he couldn’t perform to his expectations at the Australian Open, he hoped to defend his title in Acapulco and even won a marathon first-round match against Jenson Brooksby.

But, Zverev, who also decided to play doubles alongside Marcelo Melo, had a terrible incident that he would like to forget as soon as possible. As he lost the doubles match on Tuesday night, Zverev could be seen venting out his frustration on the chair umpire. The German used his racquet and displayed his anger by hitting the chair multiple times as the umpire flinched his leg in fear.

Alexander Zverev handed over strict punishment from ATP after his on-court misbehavior in Acapulco

ATP Acapulco organizers did not take lightly the outrage from Zverev. They have immediately withdrawn the German from the tournament. Even fans were angry by this behavior from Zverev and called for a suspension.

It’s unfortunate that Acapulco had to suspend its defending champion from the tournament. But Zverev‘s conduct on-court forced them to take the call. Also, it’s evident that the German is going through a phase of pressure. He is not performing to the mark and these on-court frustrations result from the same.

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The ATP also confirmed the withdrawal and tweeted, “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.”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 reacted quickly to the move by suspending Alexander Zverev. It would have set a wrong precedent for upcoming youngsters wanting to pursue the sport had there been no action from the tournament.

Zverev’s frustration was a result of a line call

Let’s look at the incident. During the super tie-break of their doubles match, the electronic line-calling gave ‘out’ to a shot played by Melo. The point wasn’t awarded to the German’s team. This led to an intense discussion with the chair umpire and Zverev showed his frustration once the match got over.

From the video, fans in the stadium were convinced that the ball was out. After a failed argument with the chair umpire, Zverev and Melo lost the match.

It was definitely not an easy thing to hold your emotions when you are on a tennis court. But, to direct them at the umpire is unacceptable, and this was the reason for Zverev’s default from Acapulco.

After the decision, journalists have also pointed out a couple of instances from the past where players were simply defaulted from the tournament and weren’t withdrawn.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Tennis Fans Call for Suspension of Alexander Zverev As He Attempts to Hurt the Chair Umpire at ATP Acapulco

It is true that Zverev is an exceptional talent to have on the ATP tour. However, it is important to realize that he can’t conquer the slams and Masters 1000 tournaments right away. It will take some serious effort for the German to bounce back after what happened so far this season.