eight-week suspension and $25,000 suspended fine for Alexander Zverev after bloodshed in Acapulco

Zverev was thus given an additional fine of 25,000 dollars (23,000 euros) and an eight-week suspension from all competition organized by the ATP, two sanctions however given suspended, with a probationary period ending on 22 February 2023, a year after the incident in Acapulco, specifies the ATP.

If he avoids further unsportsmanlike conduct for a year – “disrespectful or aggressive behavior, verbal or physical abuse, towards an official, an opponent, a spectator or another person during or at the end of a match” -, Zverev will see his sanctions lifted, otherwise they will apply after exhaustion of any appeal procedure, concludes the body.

Initially, the men’s circuit had fined the German 40,000 dollars (35,600 euros) and had deprived him of his winnings in Mexico (31,570 dollars or 28,160 euros) as well as points acquired in the standings for singles and doubles played. The sanction was thus revised downwards. Zverev, who will therefore be able to compete in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 on Wednesday, has until Friday to appeal.

But the ATP sanction was not unanimous in the world of the little yellow ball. “Name another sport that would not protect its officials, physically attacked and intimidated by an athlete, by giving them a reprieve rather than a firm suspension? What am I missing?”, tweeted former player Pam Shriver, appalled.

Name another sport that would not protect it’s officials who have been physically attacked and intimidated by a competitor, by serving a probation vs a suspension? What am I missing?

— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) March 8, 2022

ATP’s heaviest disciplinary sanction was imposed in 2019 on Australian Nick Kyrgios, who received a 16-week suspended sentence after verbally assaulting a referee and smashing two rackets at the Cincinnati Masters .

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