Tennis great Novak Djokovic supports the ATP’s decision to kick Alexander Zverev out of the Mexican Open for shocking umpire abuse.
But the world No.1 “understands” how professional players react so sensationally in the heat of a contest.
Djokovic himself was kicked out of the US Open in 2020 for whacking a dead ball which hit a linesperson.
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His was an accident, but there’s little defence for what German world No.3 Zverev did in Acupulco on Wednesday night (AEDT) – repeatedly smashing his racquet into the umpire’s chair aggressively, then coming back and doing it again while verbally abusing the main official (watch above).
Zverev issued an apology via his Instagram account today.
“It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match yesterday,” he wrote.
“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.
“As you know, I leave everything 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. I am sorry for letting you down.”
After his own match in Dubai, Djokovic was asked what he thought of Zverev being kicked out of the tournament in South America.
“I’m never going to encourage ATP disqualifying or fining a player because I’m not in a position to do that. Why would I do that?” Djokovic said.
“I think he said it all in that statement. He realises that it was a mistake.
“I understand the frustration. Sometimes on the court you feel in the heat of the battle lots of different emotions.
“I made mistakes in the past where I’ve had tantrums on the court. I understand what the player is going through.
“But, of course, I do not justify his actions. He has, with the words that he had in the statement, handled it in a right way.
“I think the disqualification decision was not too harsh. I think it was correct under the circumstances.”
Former world No.1 Andy Murray was also asked after his match in Dubai about the Zverev incident.
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He agreed with Djokovic that athletes can lose their cool during competition, but he was much stronger in condemning the Zverev behaviour.
“Look, it was not good. It was dangerous, reckless,” Murray said.
“I obviously understand lots of players, athletes across lots of sports, can get very frustrated.
“Certainly me, myself, I’ve not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court. I’m certainly not claiming to be an angel. I’m not perfect myself.
“However, when you’re ripping your tennis racquet right next to the umpire multiple times, yeah, you can’t be doing that.
“I know obviously one of the British guys who was playing (in that doubles match, as well, a bit dangerous. It’s graphite flying off the racquet, as well. Yeah, it was not good.”
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