WATCH: ‘You f****** idiot’ – Alexander Zverev kicked out of Acapulco event after striking umpire’s chair

ATP Tour

Shahida Jacobs
February 23, 2022

It has been a surreal couple of days for Alexander Zverev in Acapulco as first he was involved in a match that finished at 04:55am local time and then he was withdrawn from the Mexican Open after he hit the umpire’s chair with his racket during his doubles match.

Zverev was involved in a three-hour and 19-minute clash with Jenson Brooksby on Tuesday and the match made history as it was the latest finish to a match in men’s tennis.

Less than 24 hours later he was again involved in a bizarre incident during his doubles match alongside Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo.

The duo lost their opening encounter 2-6, 6-4, 10-6 against Harri Heliovaara and Lloyd Glasspool, but it was a heated affair as the world No 3 had a go at the chair umpire over a call close to the end of the match.

“Look where the ball bounced,” Zverev shouted. “It’s 8-6 in the tie-break, look where the ball bounced. For f*** sake, it’s your line.

“It’s f****** your line. You f****** idiot.”

And his frustration boiled over at the end of the match as he struck the official’s chair several times with his racket at the end of the contest.

Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.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

A statement from tournament organisers confirmed that he had been withdrawn from the event.

“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,” it read.

The German was due to face his compatriot Peter Gojowczyk in the second round of the singles on Thursday.

Alexander Zverev