Alexander Zverev is by far one of the most talented tennis players currently. He is currently ranked 3rd best in the ATP rankings above the two giants of the sport, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Zverev made history when he won the Mexican Open last year. Praises were galore for Alexander as he clinched the Mexican Open 2021 title.
This time around he is in the news for the wrong reasons. Alexander, who is the world number 3 has officially been kicked out of the Mexican Open after his unsportsmanlike behaviour during the course of the tournament. The ATP has also released a statement to confirm the disqualification of Zverev from the tournament. The statement 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“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,”
This incident took place after Zverev and his doubles partner Marcelo Mello lost a match due to a decisive tie break with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 against Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovarra.
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Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.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 (@AbiertoTelcel) February 23, 2022
Alexander Zverev loses his cool in the Mexican Open
The defending champion of the Mexico Open 2021 clearly deserved this punishment from the ATP. After Zverev felt that a point was wrongly adjudicated against him during the course of the match, he went up to the umpire to argue violently. After his demands were refused he struck the umpire’s chair violently multiple times. The racket came close to striking the umpire’s foot several times. The ATP has set rules against this and defines unsportsmanlike conduct as,
“any misconduct by a player that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the success of a tournament, ATP and/or the sport”
Alexander Zverev needs to be really careful about his attitude on the pitch since he is ranked as the third-best player under the ATP rankings, as a result of which there are a lot of people who look up to him as an idol. The German is already being investigated by the ATP with regards to committing domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend, an accusation which he has denied multiple times.