Los Angeles: Alexander Zverev was handed a suspended sentence on Monday following his violent outburst and disqualification in Acapulco last month, the ATP Tour said.
The 24-year-old Olympic champion was banned for eight weeks and fined an additional $25,000 following his Mexico meltdown.
World number three had already been fined $40,000 for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct.
However, both the ban and an additional $25,000 fine will be suspended provided Zverev does not incur a further code violation in the 12-month period ending February 22, 2023.
“If the conditions are met, the penalties will be formally dismissed following the completion of the probation period,” the ATP said in a statement.
“If the conditions are not met, the penalties will be invoked after any appeal process is exhausted.̶1;
Zverev shocked the tennis world during the Mexico Open last month after smashing his racket several times against umpire Alessandro Germani’s chair after a doubles match.
He also delivered a volley of verbal abuse at the official after Zverev and partner Marcelo Melo had been eliminated, earning him disqualification from the tournament.
The ATP said a review of Zverev’s conduct found he had committed “aggravated behavior” under the ATP’s played conduct rules.
Zverev issued a public apology following his Acapulco disqualification, saying his behavior had been “unacceptable.̶1;
“It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match yesterday,” Zverev wrote.
“I have privately apologized to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable.̶1;
Zverev is due to play in the ATP/WTA Indian Wells tournament, which gets underway in California later this week.
