World number three Alexander Zverev of Germany was ejected from the men’s singles draw at the 2022 Mexican Open in Acapulco following an outburst of gigantic proportions on Tuesday. According to Matias Grez of CNN, Zverev smacked the umpire’s chair multiple times with his racket, and was using inappropriate and offensive language directed toward Italian umpire Alessandro Germani.
Zverev was upset with an overrule decision by Germani in the super tiebreak. Zverev called Germani a “f***ing idiot”, and said the following to the official, “You f***ing destroyed the whole f***ing match. The whole f***ing match, you destroyed.”
The outburst happened near the end of the match, which was won by Lloyd Glasspool of Great Britain and Harri Heliovarra of Finland with an ace. Zverev had teamed up with men’s doubles specialist Marcelo Mello of Brazil, and lost 6-2, 4-6, 10-6. Zverev could also be fined up to $20,000 for the inappropriate conduct.
Zverev was to play fellow German Peter Gojowczyk in the second round of men’s singles after beating American Jenson Brooksby 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the first round. Now Gojowczyk gets an automatic berth to the quarterfinals of the Mexican Open, where his second round win will be officially recorded as a walkover. Gojowczyk’s quarterfinal opponent will be reigning Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie of Great Britain.
Zverev meanwhile has experienced his fair share of controversy off the court in recent years. They include a lawsuit against a former agent, domestic abuse allegations against a former girlfriend and a controversial prior relationship with German model Brenda Patea, who is the mother of Zverev’s child.
