Alexander Zverev has apologised for his behaviour after being expelled from the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, for "unsportsmanlike conduct".
Zverev, partnering Brazilian Marcelo Melo in doubles on Tuesday night, came perilously close to hitting umpire Alessandro Germani when he repeatedly smashed his racquet against the umpire's chair after a 6-2 4-6 (10-6) defeat to the British-Finn pair of Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.
After the ATP announced his expulsion in a statement, Zverev said he regretted his behaviour and apologised for the incident.
"It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday," Zverev said in a statement.
"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 excuse. I would also like to apologise to my fans, the tournament, and the sport that I love."
After shaking hands with the opponents, the 24-year-old Zverev, ranked third in singles, approached the umpire's chair and hit it repeatedly before heading towards his courtside seat, upset over a line call during the match earlier.
He approached the chair a second time and once again hit it while shouting expletives.
"As you know, I leave everything on the court. Yesterday, I left too much. I am going to take the coming days to reflect - on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again," Zverev added.
"I am sorry for letting you down."
The former US Open finalist had completed a first-round win over American Jenson Brooksby in the Abierto Mexicano tournament at 4.55 am local time on Tuesday, the latest ever finish for a
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