Alexander Zverev 'should not be on court today' – Justine Henin hits out at 'unacceptable' ATP incidents

Alexander Zverev should have been banned for his shocking outburst at the Mexican Open in March, claims Eurosport tennis expert Justine Henin as the seven-time Grand Slam champion hit out at “unacceptable” behaviour on the ATP Tour. Zverev was booted out of the tournament after whacking the umpire’s chair with his racquet in the aftermath of a doubles defeat in Acapulco – narrowly missing the official’s feet – and branding him a “f****** idiot”. Ad/> The German was handed a suspended eight-week ban and a suspended $25,000 (£19,000) fine, in addition to his earlier fine of $40,000 and forfeit of prize money and ranking points.

ATP Monte Carlo'I won't win big titles pushing the ball' — Zverev's plan to end Slam hoodoo17 HOURS AGO He is not alone in his on-court histrionics. Nick Kyrgios almost hit a ball boy after hurling his racquet into the ground at Indian Wells – and has faced a series of fines in recent weeks – while Jenson Brooksby was fortunate to avoid a default after striking a ball boy when he tossed his racquet at the Miami Open. Prior to the latest incidents in Miami, the ATP issued a memo to players saying harsher punishments would be dished out for on-court misconduct and Henin says it is time to stamp it out of the game.

“We have to take action,” the Belgian said on Eurosport Tennis Club. “We hope concrete action will be taken so that these extremes stop. You can't yell at an umpire.

Even if there is no intention, it is a problem to break a racquet that flies as far as a ball boy. “You can be tired… but we can’t see the images of Alexander Zverev again. These are behaviours of intimidation, of rage, which we cannot see and which we must punish much more severely.