Zverev gets suspended 8-week ban, 1-year probation for Mexican Open outburst

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – German tennis player Alexander Zverev has been given an eight-week suspended sentence and put on probation for one year for his violent outburst at the Mexican Open last month.

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Zverev was expelled from the ATP 500 event in Acapulco after he repeatedly hit the umpire’s chair with his racket following a loss in a doubles match.

An ATP review found him guilty of “aggravated behavior,” the men’s tennis governing body said in a statement.

He will be barred from tennis for two months if he repeats an action “that results in a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct … and verbal or physical abuse of an official, opponent, spectator or any other person” before Feb. 22 next year.

The ATP also imposed an additional fine of $25,000 on the 24-year-old player.

Zverev, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, was fined $40,000 and forfeited more than $31,000 in prize money when he was kicked out of the Mexican Open.

He has until March 11 “to appeal against the outcome of the investigation,” according to the ATP statement.