Alexander Zverev has issued a grovelling apology for smashing an umpire's chair with his racket amid calls for the world No.3 to be banned.
The Olympic champion was thrown out of the Mexican Open and faces a big fine for his outrageous behaviour following a doubles match defeat.
After the German and his partner Marcelo Melo lost a deciding tiebreak to by Britain's Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara following a close call, Zverev approached umpire Alessandro Germani and violently struck his chair four times while yelling: ”You f****** destroyed the whole f****** match, the whole f****** match you destroyed.”
Tournament organisers booted out Zverev from the Acapulco event for “unsportsmanlike conduct”.
And the German, who finished his singles match at 4.55am on Tuesday morning before returning to the court later that day, later took to Instagram to apologise.
He wrote: "It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday.
"I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable, and I am only disappointed in myself.
"It should not have happened and there is no excuse. I would also like to apologise to my fans, the tournament and the sport that I love. I am sorry for letting you down."
Zverev is under investigation by the ATP after his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova accused him of domestic abuse. Zverev has welcomed the investigation and "categorically and unequivocally" denies the allegations.
Addressing Zverev's on-court behaviour, Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert tweeted: “This definitely is egregious situation and merits serious fine and suspension.”
