Tennis champion Alexander Zverev has been hit with a huge fine following his bizarre attack on an umpire at the Mexican Open.
The ATP has confirmed that the world number three has been fined $A56,000 and will be forced to forfeit more than $A42,000 in prizemoney and all rankings points from the tournament for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct.
“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,” the ATP statement said.
“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.”
It comes after the 24-year-old yelled expletives at official Alessandro Germani before violently striking the umpire’s chair several times following his double’s loss.
There have been calls for the German to be suspended from the tournament following the incident.
The ATP has confirmed it will undertake “a further review of the incident” and further sanctions may be considered.
