This week, five of the world's top ten players competed in what is the "most volume" of ATP500 in history, the ATP500 Acapulco Tournament.
It is in such a high-pressure atmosphere that the competition on the field is extremely fierce. Unlike veteran Nadal, who continued his 13-game winning streak that began at the beginning of the year, the new generation of player Zverev was unexpectedly forced to retire.
Here's the thing. On February 24, local time, Germany's Zverev partnered with Melo in the MEN's Doubles competition at ATP Acapulco. After three sets, they lost to the Graspur/Heliowala combination 2-6, 6-4, 6-10. Later, out of control due to dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, Zverev made dirty remarks and slammed the referee's chair with a racket.
Soon, the Germans were fined for their excesses.
After the decision, the ATP officially issued a fine for his actions, fining him $40,000 and deducting his bonuses and points for the current season.
Zverev's actions were a clear violation of sportsmanship. After a day of reflection, he himself responded to the matter on social media.
The 24-year-old wrote via social platforms on Wednesday: "It's hard to put into words how much I regret my actions during and after yesterday's doubles matches. I have privately apologized to the referee for my violent language being an unforgivable mistake and I am very disappointed in my own faults. This shouldn't happen, and there's no excuse for that. I would also like to apologize to my fans, the tournament's organizing committee and the sport of tennis I love. ”
Zverev's behavior also attracted the attention of his peers. Among them, Djokovic and Murray, one of the Big Four, have expressed their views on the matter.
World number one Djokovic said: "I hope he can reflect on and recognize the seriousness of the problem, do not let something like this happen again, I believe he will deal with it maturely." ”
Deyo's statement was most likely a sentimental one. After all, during the 2020 US Open, the Serbian was eventually forced to disqualify him because he accidentally hit the referee with the ball, which had a great impact on him.
Unlike Zverev, however, it was a mistake caused by an inadvertent act. The world's first advice to Zverev is also very sincere, showing the style of his predecessors.
"I've made mistakes in the past when I lost my temper on the pitch and I understand how the players felt on the pitch at that time. But I am not excusing them and do not want to prove that their actions are correct," Djokovic continued, "as Zverev said in his statement, he has recognized the mistakes of this matter and has dealt with it in the right way." He said he had made a mistake and that his behavior was inappropriate. I don't think the decision to disqualify is too harsh, and I think it's the right one in this case. ”
Like Djokovic, Murray admitted that Zverev's excesses on the field were inappropriate.
"It's dangerous, reckless," Murray said after losing to Sinar 5-7, 2-6, "and I certainly don't call myself perfect, because I make mistakes too." Obviously, you can't vent in front of the referee, it's a very dangerous behavior. ”
In fact, Zverev is not the first player to be punished for losing control of his emotions.
In 2019, Kyrgios was fined a record $113,000 and suspended for 16 weeks for a series of actions at the Cincinnati Open.
In addition to being on the pitch, Zverev was also charged with domestic violence last October. (Source: Tennis House Author: Wu Li Fun)