Alexander Zverev handed suspended ban for smashing umpire’s chair
GuardianSep 14, 2021
Zverev Given Suspended Ban by ATP for Acapulco Outburst
Image copyright: Handout via Reuters [via The New York Times]
The Facts
German tennis star Alexander Zverev has been given a suspended 8-week ban by the ATP for an outburst that included smashing his racket and verbally abusing officials at an event in Acapulco last month.
At the time, Zverev was defaulted from the event, forfeited more than $31,000 in prize money, and was fined $40,000.
The Spin
Narrative A
This discipline is a sham and no punishment at all. The ATP is setting a terrible precedent with such a weak reaction to an egregious violation of decorum and rules.
Narrative B
Zverev admitted he was wrong and publicly apologized for the incident. There's precedent for the ATP issuing a suspended punishment in these types of situations.