Tennis
Nadal wants tougher penalties for the kind of attitude Zverev had
(Indian Wells) Rafael Nadal, who is aiming for a 4and title at the Indian Wells Masters 1000, pleaded for “tougher sanctions” against players who have bloodshed on the court, like Alexander Zverev two weeks ago in Acapulco.
“I am in a difficult position. I’m torn, because I have a good relationship with “Sasha”, he’s someone I like. But he knows he was wrong and he recognized it very quickly. Which is positive. On the other hand, if we are not able to control this type of behavior on the court or find a way to sanction it in a stronger way, then we, the players, can have a feeling of impunity”, said the Spaniard at a press conference.
However, as in all sports, we must be positive examples for the young people who watch us. So on the one hand, I don’t want “Sasha” to be punished, but on the other hand, I would like to see tougher penalties for this kind of behavior, because it will protect the sport, the officials and everyone present. to a game.
Rafael Nadal
On Tuesday, the ATP issued an eight-week suspension from all competition and a suspended US$25,000 fine, with a probationary period ending February 22, 2023, a year after the incident occurred, to the against Zverev.
PHOTO REUTERS
Alexander Zverev hit the referee’s chair three times and insulted him.
The latter had come out of his hinges, at the end of a doubles match lost in Acapulco, hitting the referee’s chair three times, before sitting down and then getting up to insult him and give a final blow. of racket.
Excluded from the tournament, the Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo had “asked for forgiveness”, claiming on Instagram to have “privately apologized to the chair umpire” after his “unacceptable” outburst of anger.
Initially, the men’s circuit fined him US$40,000 and deprived him of his winnings in Mexico (31,570 dollars or 28,160 euros) as well as the points acquired in the classification for the singles. and disputed doubles.
The ATP has been criticized by personalities like Serena Williams, for the leniency she has shown towards the German world No.3, who will therefore be in contention in Indian Wells.
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Sophia Jhon is a sports journalist and author. He has worked as a news editor for Sportish and is now a sport columnist for the same publication. Alberta’s professional interests lie largely in sports news, with an emphasis on English football. He has also written articles on other sporting topics.