World number three Alexander Zverev has been handed a suspended eight-week ban after attacking an umpire's chair with his racquet at the Mexican Open last month.
After Zverev and Marcelo Melo had lost their first-round doubles match to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara, Zverev smashed the umpire's chair with his racquet three times while maintaining eye contact with the official, who had to move his foot out of the way to avoid being hit.
The German sat down for a brief minute before striking the chair once more, leading to his expulsion from the tournament and a fine of £31,000 ahead of an ATP review.
Zverev's review has now been completed, with an ATP statement reading: "The ATP's Senior Vice President of Rules & Competition, Miro Bratoev, has completed his review of Alexander Zverev's conduct in Acapulco, Mexico, where the player was withdrawn from the tournament for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
"The review determined that Zverev committed Aggravated Behaviour under the Player Major Offense section of ATP Rules. As a result, Zverev has been issued an additional fine of US$25,000 and a suspension for a period of eight weeks from any ATP-sanctioned event.
"However, the fine and suspension are withheld on the condition that, over a probation period ending 22 February 2023 (one year from the incident), the player does not incur a further Code Violation that results in a fine for: "Unsportsmanlike Conduct based upon an act, such as disrespectful or aggressive behaviour directed towards an official, opponent, spectator, or other person during or upon conclusion of a match, or Verbal or Physical Abuse of an official, opponent, spectator, or any other person while on-court or on-site.
"Zverev already received a total of US$40,000 in on-site fines for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct in Acapulco. He also forfeited full prize money of $31,570 (singles and doubles), as well as all ATP Rankings points from the event.
"Per ATP Rules, Player Major Offense determinations are made solely by ATP's Senior Vice President of Rules & Competition, and independently of ATP Management and Board. Zverev has until Friday 11 March to appeal against the outcome of the investigation."
Zverev's actions come in the wake of domestic abuse allegations by the 24-year-old's ex-girlfriend, although he has strongly denied the accusations.
Ben Knapton
