Alexander Zverev was excluded from the ATP tournament in Acapulco for unsportsmanlike conduct. The German freaked out on Tuesday (local time) after his defeat in doubles and smashed his racket on the referee’s chair. Previously, he had been upset about a decision by the referee. The ATP reacted immediately and also excluded him from the individual competition.
After the 2: 6 6: 4 6/10, Zverev and his Brazilian doubles partner Marcelo Melo hit the Brit Lloyd Glasspool and the Finn Harri Heliovaara several times with his racket against the referee’s chair, on which the referee was still sitting. In addition, the third in the world rankings insulted the referee, who reacted calmly to the attacks at his feet, as “idiots”.
The outburst of anger could bring the German further sanctions from the ATP. In 2019, after an initial fine of $113,000, Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who is known for his outbursts, was handed a 16-week suspended sentence and an additional $25,000 fine for “aggravating behavior” by the ATP.
Zverev had won the title at the top event last year. Early on Tuesday morning (local time) he had won his first round singles match against the American Jenson Brooksby after 3:20 hours 3:6 7:6 (12/10) 6:2. The game only ended at 4.55 a.m. – never before on the ATP tour had a match ended later. In view of the exertion, it would probably have been wiser not to start in doubles. In the round of 16, Zverev should have played against his compatriot Peter Gojowczyk. The 32-year-old is now in the quarter-finals without a fight.
Image got clear scratches again
The fact that he gave his demolished racket to a fan after the freak out should only have brought Zverev a few sympathy points from this supporter. Otherwise, the image of the German athlete of the year has been scratched again, as investigations by the ATP are still ongoing against him because of unproven allegations of violence from his ex-girlfriend Olga Scharypova.
Zverev later expressed remorse via social media and regretted his serious misstep: “I apologized privately to the referee because my outburst to him was wrong and unacceptable.” The 24-year-old also apologized to the fans and the tournament. Zverev announced that he would also think about his behavior in the coming days. He wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Opening victories for Nadal and Medvedev
Australian Open winner Rafael Nadal from Spain and Russian Daniil Medvedev caused less excitement, but victories. Nadal prevailed in the first round against the American Denis Kudla in 76 minutes 6: 3 6: 2. Medvedev, Nadal’s final opponent in Melbourne, progressed a round in Mexico thanks to a safe 6-3 6-4 win over Frenchman Benoit Paire. Medvedev can oust the Serbian Novak Djokovic from the top of the world rankings this week.
ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco
(Mexico, $1,832,890, hard)
