(Indian Wells) Rafael Nadal, who is aiming for a 4^and 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.

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.

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.