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Alexander Zverev attacks the referee. Fans and journalists online can’t believe their eyes and are demanding a long ban. The reactions to the scandal appearance summarized.
Update from February 24, 12:40 p.m.: Yesterday and today, those who currently have rank and name in tennis commented on Alexander Zverev’s serious freak out. The German was disqualified after a wild attack on the referee’s chair at the tournament in Acapulco.
Novak Djokovic is familiar with outbreaks of this type from his own experience. The Serb was himself disqualified at the 2020 US Open for accidentally shooting down a linesman. “The disqualification was correct under the given circumstances,” he emphasized to the Serbian media. “I, too, have made mistakes in the past and thrown tantrums on the pitch. I understand what the player is going through. But of course the actions cannot be justified.”
Rafael Nadal also condemned the failure of the German number one. “He deserves the penalty because you’re not allowed to act like that on the pitch. I hope it’s a learning curve for him and other young players who lose their nerve,” said the Spaniard.
Zverev received the sharpest criticism from ex-Grand Slam winner Andy Murray. “It was dangerous and reckless. You just can’t hit the racquet near the referee multiple times,” the Scot clarified.
Alexander Zverev apologizes for outburst of anger: “I’m disappointed in myself”
Update from February 23, 2:30 p.m.: Alex Zverev’s outburst of anger at the ATP tournament in Acapulco is making waves all over the sports world. Now the 24-year-old has commented on the incidents himself!
“It’s hard to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after yesterday’s doubles,” Zverev wrote on Instagram: “I apologized privately to the chair umpire because my outburst to him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am.” just disappointed in myself.”
The Olympic champion continued: “It just shouldn’t have happened and there’s no excuse. I also want to apologize to the fans, the tournament and the sport that I love.”
You know that he always gives everything on the pitch, “yesterday it was clearly too much,” says the story post: “I’ll use the coming days to think about my actions and I can make sure that that way.” something doesn’t happen again. I’m sorry I disappointed you.”
Alexander Zverev: “Unsportsmanlike, unpredictable and dangerous!” – Sports world shocked after freaking out
First report from February 23, 11 a.m.: Acapulco – What a performance by Alexander Zverev! Germany’s number one caused a tennis scandal with his freak out at the ATP tournament in Mexico. Zverev lost his composure after the 2: 6, 6: 4, 6:10 with his Brazilian doubles partner Marcelo Melo against the British Lloyd Glasspool and the Finn Harri Heliovaara. The 24-year-old hit the referee’s chair several times with his bat and was then disqualified by the ATP for the individual.
During the match, Zverev spat at the Italian referee Alessandro Germani, who almost felt sorry for him. Bewilderment spreads among the observers of this frightening spectacle. We summarize the reactions.
Alexander Zverev: fans and journalists shocked after the scandal
“I’ve never seen it like this before. Unsportsmanlike, unpredictable and dangerous,” writes Time-Journalist Max Boenke on Twitter. “It couldn’t be more embarrassing” or “Is that embarrassing!” DAZN-Commentator Benni Zander and Sport1– Editor-in-Chief Pit Gottschalk.
Zverev hit the referee’s chair with full force, on which the referee was still sitting. Zverev just missed his feet and the referee flinched. Then the 24-year-old sat down briefly, but could not be tamed. He lashed out at the chair for the fourth hit. This was followed by wild insults against the meanwhile fleeing referee. “How damn bad!?” Zverev yelled at him. The fans reacted with a whistle concert.
“Incomprehensible. Who does he think he is?” asks Dirk Adam von Sports Illustrated outraged. “Would really like to think it’s great. Unfortunately, it can’t be done in this life,” explains DAZN journalist Alex Schlueter. “Reminder: Athletes should be role models. Alexander Zverev does not do it justice again,” criticizes sports commentator Robby Hunke.
Alexander Zverev: Fan demands “lifetime ban” after anger attack
“One might think that a huge story must have happened beforehand. But no, Zverev only saw one ball out, the referee didn’t. That’s it,” summarizes a user on Twitter. “I feel very sorry for the referee. That must have consequences. Slowly it’s enough with the Ausraster. I don’t want him to play in big tournaments for Germany,” demands another user.
Another observer goes even further: “If a footballer treated a referee like that, you wouldn’t be far from a lifetime ban. Zverev should do MMA or ideally go into therapy.”
Zverev had already mobbed the referee in the game after a controversial decision as a “damn idiot” and accused him of destroying the entire match. The men’s organization ATP reacted to the freak out immediately and excluded Zverev from the further course of the tournament because of “unsportsmanlike conduct”. This means that the Olympic champion is disqualified for the round of 16 in the individual competition. Zverev is now threatened with a ban of several weeks. (ck) *tz.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
