Djokovic: Disqualification right punishment for Zverev

DUBAI－Novak Djokovic has deemed the ATP Tour's decision to disqualify Alexander Zverev from the Acapulco tournament as "correct" while Andy Murray described the German's racket-smashing spree as "dangerous" and "reckless".

Djokovic, playing his first tournament since his deportation from Australia, continued his fight to keep his No 1 ranking with a convincing 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory over Karen Khachanov in Dubai to move into his 10th consecutive quarterfinal on Wednesday.

The Serb later weighed in on Zverev's violent behavior toward a chair umpire that got him kicked out of the ATP event in Acapulco.

Zverev went on a tirade over a disputed call during his doubles opener alongside Marcelo Melo, verbally abusing the official and repeatedly hitting the umpire's chair with his racket at the end of the match.

The ATP Tour announced that Zverev had been "withdrawn" from the tournament "due to unsportsmanlike conduct" and the world No 3 will not be able to defend his singles title in Acapulco.

As the crowd booed, Zverev handed his damaged racket to a child in the front row.

Zverev apologized in a statement posted on his Instagram account on Wednesday.

"It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match yesterday," he wrote. "I have privately apologized 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."

Djokovic, who was disqualified from the US Open in 2020 for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball, said he expects 24-year-old Zverev to reflect on what he has done.

"I think he said it all in that statement. He realizes that it was a mistake. I understand the frustration. Sometimes on the court you feel in the heat of the battle lots of different emotions," said Djokovic.

"I made mistakes in the past where I've had tantrums on the court. I understand what the player is going through. But, of course, I do not justify his actions. He has, with the words that he had in the statement, handled it in a right way."

The ATP has yet to reveal the extent of the fine Zverev will no doubt be handed, and it is unclear whether a suspension is on the table.

Djokovic firmly stated he would never encourage the tour to hand out harsh sanctions against a player and said there were many others who have committed similar offenses.

"I'm never going to encourage ATP disqualifying or fining a player because I'm not in a position to do that. Why would I do that?" said the 20-time major winner.

Battle for top spot

Djokovic must at least reach the semifinals in Dubai to stand a chance of stopping Daniil Medvedev from replacing him at the summit of the rankings.

Medvedev is competing in Acapulco this week and is guaranteed to end Djokovic's world No 1 reign if he clinches the title.

There are other scenarios, however, that could allow Djokovic to extend his 361-week stay at the top, should Medvedev falter in Mexico, but the Serb must at least make it to the final four in Dubai.

Earlier, Jannik Sinner stopped Murray from joining the 700 match-wins club as the Italian fourth seed advanced to the Dubai quarterfinals for a second consecutive year with a 7-5, 6-2 success over the former world No 1.

The 20-year-old Italian has improved his 2022 record to an impressive 9-1 and next takes on fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Murray was asked about Zverev's ejection from Acapulco and did not hold back in assessing the situation.

"It was dangerous, reckless," Murray said after his loss.

"I've not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court. I'm certainly not claiming to be an angel," added the Scot, who received a code violation for racket abuse on Wednesday.

"However, when you're ripping your tennis racket right next to the umpire multiple times, yeah, you can't be doing that."

AFP