Tennis star Alexander Zverev cops eight-week ban for violent act towards chair umpire at Acapulco

Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Alexander Zverev has been put on probation for one year by the ATP for violently hitting the chair umpire’s stand repeatedly with his racquet after a loss in doubles at the Mexico Open.

If Zverev receives a code violation that results in a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct or for “verbal or physical abuse of an official, opponent, spectator or any other person while on-court or on-site” he will be suspended from ATP events for eight weeks and fined an additional $25,000 ($A34,000), the men’s tennis tour announced.

Zverev, the world No.3, can until Friday to appeal the ruling of Miro Bratoev, the ATP senior vice president of rules and competition.

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Bratoev conducted a review of what happened last month in Acapulco, Mexico, and determined that Zverev committed what is termed aggravated behaviour under the major offence section of the ATP rulebook.

The ATP characterised the decision as issuing Zverev a fine and suspension that are being “withheld,” unless his behaviour warrants the punishments.

The probation ends on February 22, 2003 -- one year after the episode in Acapulco.

The 24-year-old German, who was the Mexico Open defending champion in singles, was kicked out of the tournament for yelling and cursing at official Alessandro Germani and violently striking the umpire’s chair no fewer than four times.

Just before the incident, Zverev and partner Marcelo Melo lost a doubles match against Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.

Germani gave Zverev a code violation for yelling and swearing while arguing about an opponent’s shot that was ruled in, which set up match point.

And once the match was over, Zverev swatted his racquet at