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Alexander Zverev THROWN out of Mexican Open for swinging racket at umpire in violent outburst

The Mexican Open will no longer allow Alexander Zverev to play after a violent meltdown during which he repeatedly swung his racket at the umpire

Alexander Zverev has been barred from partaking in the Mexican Open after the player verbally assaulted and physically attacked the umpire during a violent meltdown on court on February 22.. Zverev, who is also recognized as the world's third best player, aggresively swung a racket near and towards the umpire after an array of verbal insults. “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,” the ATP declared the decision in a statement. 

Zverev was reportedly upset with a call during the third set tiebreaker of a doubles match in the Mexican Open. After his 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-6) defeat in the match, the player violently struck the umpire's seat thrice in a row, only narrowly missing the umpire each time. “Look where the ball bounced … 8-6 in the tiebreak … for f–ks sake … it’s f–king your line … f–king idiot,” Zverev was heard screaming at the time of the call. 

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Zverev was paired up with Marcelo Melo in the match. The team of two was defeated by Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara. In spite of the defeat, Zverev still stood a chance in the singles draw of the tournament. However, his shocking reaction to the match results and his violent attack at the umpire compelled the officials to bar him from participating in the tournament any further.

The umpire, Alessandro Germani, was at the receiving end of the German player's outburst. The world no 3 player was seen smashing his chair three times and nearly striking the official’s foot while shouting at him. Zverev again struck the chair once more while shouting. The 24-year-old tennis player is also likely to pay a fine or face suspension as consequence for his actions. 

His violent outburst has been heavily criticized by fans and has left the tennis community shocked. Some fans have even demanded that strict action be taken against the player after the disturbing display of his unprofessional conduct and lack of self-control where it needs to be shown. “Alexander Zverev ended his doubles loss against Glasspool/Heliovaara by attacking the umpire’s chair while arguing with and looking at him after each strike. Looks like a blatant act of intimidation and there should be serious repercussions for this behavior,” tennis journalist Tumaini Carayol tweeted.

Some fans have even brought up the topic of domestic abuse allegations made by Zverev's former girlfriend Oyla. "Since Alexander Zverev is going to trend for his violent outburst, here's story of his ex-girlfriend and her allegations of domestic violence against him #IStandWithOlya," a user tweeted regarding the incident, indicating that the player's former partner's allegations need to be taken more seriously after Zverev's display of such aggressive behavior. 

"Alexander Zverev ended his doubles loss against Glasspool/Heliovaara by attacking the umpire's chair while arguing with and looking at him after each strike. Looks like a blatant act of intimidation and there should be serious repercussions for this behavior," another journalist wrote in a tweet regarding the incident. 

Later on on Wednesday, February 23, Zverev released a statement on the incident: “It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior [sic] during and after the doubles match yesterday,” he said. “I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am only disappointed in myself. It just should not have happened and there is no excuse.”