Alexander Zverev handed suspended eight-week ban by ATP for Acapulco outburst

The governing body of men's tennis has handed Alexander Zverev a suspended eight-week ban and $US25,000 fine for smashing his racquet against the umpire's chair at last month's ATP 500 event in Acapulco.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of a doubles match and led to Zverev being expelled from the tournament.

An ATP review of the incident found the men's world number three had committed «aggravated behaviour» under its player rules.

The ban and fine — which apply to any ATP-sanctioned event — will be withheld if Zverev does not incur any more sanctions for unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal or physical abuse over a 12-month probation period.

The probation ends on February 22, 2023.

The German has until Friday to appeal the ATP's ruling.

Last month, Zverev was fined $US20,000 for verbal abuse, $US20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and forfeited more than $US31,000 in prize money and all rankings points earned from singles and doubles action in Acapulco.

Zverev — playing alongside doubles partner Marcelo Melo — verbally abused official Alessandro Germani and violently struck the umpire’s chair no fewer than four times following a 6-2, 4-6, (10-6) defeat to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.

Germani had earlier given Zverev a code violation for yelling and swearing while arguing about the ruling on an opponent's shot.

In the aftermath of the incident, Zverev apologised for his behaviour.

«It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday,» he said in a statement last month.

«I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am only disappointed in myself.

»It just should not have happened and there is no