TENNIS

Alexander Zverev kicked out of tournament after smashing umpire's chair with racket following doubles loss [Video]

David Ben 15:01 - 23 February 2022

Alexander Zverev has been kicked out of the Mexican Open following Unsportsmanlike misconduct

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev has been been expelled from the Mexican tournament after smashing the umpire's chair with his racket following doubles loss with Marcelo Melo.

The incident occurred moments after the German his and Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo were beaten 6-2 4-6 10-6 by Britain's Lloyd Glasspool and Finland's Harri Heliovaara.

It was only after the four players shook hands at the net, before Zverev then turned to the umpire and aggressively hit his chair with his racket three times, almost catching the official's leg with one swing.

Alexander Zverev ended his doubles loss against Glasspool/Heliovaara by attacking the umpire's chair while arguing with and looking at him after each strike. Looks like a blatant act of intimidation and there should be serious repercussions for this behaviour. https://t.co/K1UhFH05M8
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 23, 2022

As the umpire stood to climb down from his chair, 24-year-old Zverev walked back over and again took another swing.

He was heard to have lashed out at the official, too due to a line call earlier in the match.

Aviso importante @atptour

Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.
— Abierto Mexicano de Tenis (@AbiertoTelcel) February 23, 2022

Tournament organisers have swiftly confirmed the world No. 3 would play no further part in the Mexican Open with a post on Twitter that read:

"Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco."

Alexander Zverev

The ATP has yet to announce any sanctions for the 24-year-old Zverev, but its website shows that the reigning Mexican Open champion's second-round opponent in the singles, Peter Gojowczyk, has been given a walkover into the quarter-finals of the tournament.