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BELGRADE, SERBIA – JUNE 14: Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia and Alexander Zverev (R) of Germany pose for a photo prior to the Adria Tour charity exhibition hosted by Novak Djokovic on June 14, 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
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BELGRADE, SERBIA – JUNE 14: Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia and Alexander Zverev (R) of Germany pose for a photo prior to the Adria Tour charity exhibition hosted by Novak Djokovic on June 14, 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
It hasn’t been the most ideal start for Alexander Zverev this season. The German tennis sensation started this year at the ATP Cup in Sydney. He won two out of the three matches played in that tournament.
Further, he had a disappointing Australian Open campaign. The 24-year-old was expected to go deep into the tournament. However, he lost to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the fourth round. In his next tournament, Open Sud de France, he was the top seed but faltered in the summit clash.
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The German World Number 3 was engulfed in a major controversy yesterday at the ATP 500 Acapulco. 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has reacted on this matter.
Novak Djokovic opens up on the controversy surrounding Alexander Zverev
The Serb is in Dubai to participate in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. He commented on this episode, backing the German. Djokovic said, “I’m sure that the ATP management and officials will look at the video, will probably interview the chair umpire, take some time to decide what they want to decide.”
Reuters
Tennis – ATP 500 – Abierto Mexicano – The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Acapulco, Mexico – February 22, 2022 Germany’s Alexander Zverev in action during his match against Jenson Brooksby of the U.S. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Further, he added, “I’m never going to encourage ATP disqualifying or fining a player because I’m not in a position to do that. Why would I do that? I agreed with what Sascha stated in his statement. He said, ‘I made a mistake. It was not appropriate behavior. I went too far.’ I support that kind of statement. Everyone is a human being, everyone is flawed and can make mistakes.”
#Djokovic on #Zverev default continued from previous thread.
"I'm sure that the ATP management and officials will look at the video, will probably interview the chair umpire, take some time to decide what they want to decide." (1/3)— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) February 23, 2022
What happened with Zverev in Acapulco
The German was in action yesterday in men’s doubles when the controversy erupted. He paired up with the Brazilian Marcelo Melo and the two were up against Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara. However, the German-Brazilian pair lost the first-round encounter. Further, after the match, Zverev was frustrated and smashed his racquet at the chair of the umpire. Moreover, he even came dangerously close to hitting the umpire.
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 23, 2022 Germany’s Alexander Zverev walks off the court dejected after losing his fourth-round match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Due to his actions, the authorities withdrew him from the tournament. Additionally, he may face a hefty fine and suspension from the ATP Tour for his actions.
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