Former Wimbledon champion wants Alexander Zverev banned for ‘outrageous’ incident

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli believes Alexander Zverev should have received a suspension for his violent outburst in Acapulco.

The German was ejected from the tournament after he smashed a racket against the umpire’s chair in a doubles match.

Following his disqualification, the ATP started disciplinary procedures and handed out fines totalling more than $70,000 to the world number three, as well as an eight week suspended ban.

Many people believe racket smashing is becoming a serious problem in tennis, and it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, and Bartoli agrees that it is tough to see a lot of deterrent in the ATP’s sanctions.

And Tennishead can exclusively reveal this footage of Zverev practising in Monte Carlo ahead of the Masters 1000 where it seems his anger issues haven’t improved!

“To see Alexander Zverev just going out and smashing his racket so close to the umpire and almost just wanting to attack him, staying in that fine line where he didn’t touch him and can defend himself, to me that was outrageous,” Bartoli said.

“That to me deserved at least a three tournament suspension, not play Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, it deserved that at least, otherwise where do you draw the line?

“The fine was a big amount for normal people, but for tennis players such as Alexander Zverev who earns so much on and off the court that was not that much – I don’t think he will learn the lessons he should have learned.”

Following the incident, Zverev described it as ’embarrassing’ and ‘the worst moment of his life,’

However, he also said he believed he deserved a second chance rather than immediate suspension.

“If I do that again, they have every right to ban me – it’s as simple as that, if I do that again, it means I haven’t learnt.

“I think everybody in life deserves a second chance but if you repeatedly do mistakes it means that you haven’t learnt.”

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