Alexander Zverev has been handed the harshest punishment possible by the ATP, following his shocking attack on the umpire at the Mexican Open this week.
Zverev’s behaviour came after a doubles match he was competing in alongside Marcelo Melo, as the pair lost to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.
Following his defeat the angered German shook hands with his opponents before repeatedly crashing his racket into the side of the umpire’s chair, while the official remained seated.
Zverev was kicked out of the event, and has since privately apologised to umpire Alessandro Germani.
Along with his removal the world No. 3 has also been handed the heaviest fine that the ATP is able to hand down pending an investigation, after being fined £30,000.
As well as this Zverev has also had his prize money that he won in Mexico taken away from him, which totalled to £22,500.
He could be punished further when an investigation into his actions is completed.
Following the punishment, the ATP released a statement regarding their decision, confirming a ‘further review of the incident’ would continue to take place.
The statement said: “Following ATP’s withdrawal of Alexander Zverev from this week’s tournament in Acapulco due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
"The player has received the following on-site penalties; verbal abuse - 20,000 US dollars, unsportsmanlike conduct - 20,000 US dollars.
“This represents the maximum fine per each violation. Zverev also forfeits full prize money of 31,570 US dollars (singles and doubles), as well as all ATP rankings points from the event.
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“A further review of the incident will now follow per ATP rules.”
As well as speaking to Germani privately, Zverev also issued a public grovelling apology in the aftermath of the incident.
Speaking about his regret he said: “It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday.
“I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable. “As you know I leave everything out on the court
“Yesterday I left too much. I am going to take the coming days to reflect on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again.”
