Alexander Zverev Xinhua

Alexander Zverev kicked out of Mexican Open after violent outburst

By Adam Stites | Last updated Feb 23, 2022 11:48 AM ET

Alexander Zverev was removed from the Mexican Open draw Wednesday after he smashed his racket multiple times on the umpire's chair, coming dangerously close to striking the umpire in the process.

Zverev, 24, is the world's third-ranked men's tennis player and was the second-seeded player in the men's singles tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. The outburst came seconds after he and Brazil's Marcelo Melo lost a doubles match via a third set tiebreaker.

The incident that got Alexander Zverev kicked out of the Mexican Open pic.twitter.com/cemoq7cghb
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 23, 2022

"Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco," the ATP said in a statement, via ESPN.

While Zverev was eliminated from the doubles tournament with the loss, he was set for a second-round match in the singles tournament against Peter Gojowczyk. Instead, he posted an apology on Instagram after getting removed from the tournament.

"It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match yesterday," Zverev wrote, in part. "I have privately apologized 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."

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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