Alexander Zverev: Tennis world number 3 apologizes after he is excelled from tournament for hitting umpire’s chair with racket | World News

World number three tennis player Alexander Zverev has been kicked out of a tournament in Acapulco after repeatedly smashing his racket against the umpire’s chair.

The German faces a hefty punishment after the aggressive incident.

It happened after Zverev and his Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo were beaten 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 by Britain’s Lloyd Glasspool and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara.

World no 3 hits umpire’s chair

After the four players Shook hands at the net, Zverev turned to the umpire and aggressively hit his racket against the chair three times, almost hitting the official’s leg with one swing.

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

Tournament organizers said Zverev would play no further part in the Mexican Open, posting on Twitter: “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.”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 has yet to announce any sanctions, but its website shows Zverev’s second-round opponent in the singles, Peter Gojowczyk, has been given a walkover.

Zverev apologises for outburst

Zverev later apologized for his outburst on his Instagram account.

“It’s difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match yesterday,” he wrote.

“I have privately apologized to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am only disappointed in myself.

“It shouldn’t have happened and there is no excuse. I would also like to apologize to my fans, the tournament and the sport that I love.

“As you know, I leave everything on the court. Yesterday, I left too much. I’m going to take the coming days to reflect – on my actions and how I can ensure that it won’t happen again. I am sorry for letting you down. “

Calls to suspend player

There have been calls for Zverev to be suspended, with Coach Brad Gilbert and former player-turned-broadcaster Patrick McEnroe, brother of US tennis legend John McEnroe, saying the player should face further punishment.

When Andy Murray was asked about the incident, they said, “Look, it wasn’t good. It was dangerous, Reckless.

“I obviously understand lots of players, Athletes across lots of sports, can get very frustrated. Certainly me, myself, I’ve not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court. I’m certainly not claiming to be an angel.I’m not perfect myself.

“However, when you’re ripping your tennis racket right next to the umpire multiple times, yeah, you can’t be doing that.

“I know obviously one of the British guys who was playing, as well, a bit dangerous. It’s Graphite Flying off the Racquet, as well. Yeah, it wasn’t good.”