'I worry about them breaking down' - Chris Evert on player mental health after Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios outbursts

Chris Evert has expressed concern about players ‘losing control’ after a string of recent controversial on-court outbursts. World no. 3 Alexander Zverev was handed a suspended ban and fined $40,000 (£30,500) after attacking the umpire’s chair with his racquet in Acapulco while Nick Kyrgios received several fines for his behaviour at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Ad/> Following criticism from some quarters that these punishments were too ‘lenient’, the ATP announced that stricter sanctions would be handed down for bad behaviour in future. TennisSerena: Winning is now a desire rather than a need2 HOURS AGO Speaking exclusively to Eurosport, 18-time Grand Slam winner Evert suggested the emotional toll on players could be a factor and stressed the need for more discussion around the mental aspect of tennis “I don't know any other sport where the athlete abuses the official as much as tennis,” she said. “I worry about the behaviour of players and I even worry about breaking down emotionally on the court and walking off in the middle of a match and I worry about the emotional and mental relapses or breakdowns that these players are having.

“I worry about the players. I'm not making any judgments on the players, but it's an area of concern: why are players losing control and breaking racquets and putting others in harm's way? “Why are they breaking down on the court emotionally? It's something that needs to be addressed. It's something that needs to be talked about.

Tennis is a sport and it's not life. I mean even since I've had some health issues, I realize it's a sport. It should be viewed with a different perspective.” Serena: Winning is now a desire rather than a need 'It's brutal' — Evert defends 'superstar' Raducanu