ATP warns of harsh penalties for misconduct after Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev’s on-court outbursts
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Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios
ATP has finally put on a tough stance and issued a warning over the recent incidents of on-courts outbursts involving Nick Kyrgios and Alxander Zverev among others. The tennis governing body has ordered a complete review of the whole code of conduct and warned of stringer actions.
At the Miami Open, Nick Kyrgios was hit with a fine of $35,000 for audible obscenity, verbal abuse, and two counts of unsportsmanlike conduct. This was in response to his earlier antics when Australian smashed his racquet and launched an expletive-laden rant at the umpire during his fourth-round exit against Jannik Sinner. It was Kyrgios’ second fine in less than a month. He also received a fined $25,000 dollars for his tirade at the Indian Wells, where he nearly hit a ball boy after his racket ricocheted when he smashed it on the ground.
Such violent acts have been on the rise in the ATP scene over the past few months. Alexander Zverev was kicked out of the Mexican Open after he repeatedly smashed his racquet against the umpire’s chair during his doubles match. The German then received a suspended eight-week ban and a fine of $40,000 along with forfeiting his prize money of $30,000.
ATP faced severe backlash for fans and tennis pundits, for issuing soft penalties instead of outright bans for violent conduct in the case of Zverev and repeated offenses in the case of Kyrgios. After all the furore, they have finally retaliated and said they would be handing out stricter punsihments for misconducts on court.
ATP issues a stern warning to players over aggressive on court behaviour
In a note to the players, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said there would be review of the current code of conduct and a stricter stance would be taken on on-court oubursts in light of recent high profile incidents, involving Kyrgios and Zverev among others.
“Effective immediately and as we head into the clay court swing, the ATP officiating team has been directed to take a stricter stance in judging violations of the Code of Conduct. Additionally, we are also undertaking a review of the Code, as well as the disciplinary processes, to ensure that it provides appropriate and up-to-date penalties for serious violations and repeat offenders.”
“The first three months of the season have seen an unusual frequency of high-profile incidents involving unsportsmanlike conduct. These incidents shine a bad light on our sport. This conduct affects everyone, and sends the wrong message to our fans, especially young fans,” ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said.
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T Rushitha
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