MY ACCOUNT
Alexander Zverev has been “withdrawn” from the singles competition at the Mexican Open in Acapulco after attacking the umpire’s chair at the end of his defeat in the doubles.
Zverev and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo were in a super tie-break against Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara when they were angered by a call made by the umpire.
A return on Melo’s serve seemed to be called out by a line judge, but the umpire overruled the decision to put Glasspool and Heliovaara 9-6 up and give them match point, a subsequent ace ending the match in their favour.
As the pairs shook hands at the net afterwards, Zverev quickly walked off and smashed his racquet against the umpire’s chair three times.
He then shouted at the umpire that he had “destroyed the whole f****** match” before striking the chair once more.
Zverev was due to face Peter Gojowczyk in the second round of the singles, but the ATP Tour confirmed the Olympic champion has been removed from the draw.
A brief 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“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.”
