Alexander Zverev has been kicked out of the Mexican Open after attacking the umpires chair, following a loss in the doubles tournament.
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Zverev, the world number three, was involved in the latest finish in tennis history on Tuesday, as his match with Jenson Brooksby, which started at 1.30 am local time, ended at 4.55 am.
The German was back on court not that long after, although also the following night, when he was involved in a doubles match with partner Marcelo Melo.
The pair lost 6-2 4-6 10-6 to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara, following a tie break decider, and Zverev got very annoyed at a line call at 8-6 in the decider.
Zverev shouted at the umpire saying, "Look where the ball bounced. It's 8-6 in the tiebreak, look where the ball bounced. For f**k sake, it's your line.
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"It's f***ing your line. You f***ing idiot."
Just moments later the German and his Brazilian teammate were knocked out and Zverev didn't take things well, smacking the umpires chair several times as the umpire remained seated, taking one final swipe as the official stepped down.
"You f***ing destroyed the whole f***ing match. The whole f***ing match," the player could be heard screaming as he hit the chair, after he initially looked to be returning to his courtside seat.
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Following his actions, the 24-year-old, who was due to be playing fellow countryman Peter Gojowczyk in the next round of the singles, has been kicked out of the competition.
A statement from the tournament confirmed the news, saying, "Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco."
Zverev has a chance to become the world number one at some point this season, due to the fact the current rankings leader Novak Djokovic remains unvaccinated.
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The elimination from the singles tournament, without losing a match, will be a blow to him as he is the defending champion in Acapulco.
Djokovic is currently playing in Dubai, in his first tournament back since being deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open, but could still be overtaken in the rankings if Daniil Medvedev wins the Mexican Open.
Topics: Tennis
Ryan Sidle