LONDON, March 8 — Men's tennis governing body has handed world number three Alexander Zverev a suspended eight-week ban for smashing his racket against the umpire's chair at last month's ATP 500 event in Acapulco, for which he was expelled from the tournmament.

Zverev was fined US$20,000 (RM83,600) for verbal abuse, US$20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and forfeited more than US$31,000 in prize money and all rankings points earned from singles and doubles action at the Abierto Mexicano tournament. Following a review, the ATP found that the 24-year-old German had committed "aggravated behaviour” under the Player Major Offense section of its rules and issued an additional fine of US$25,000 and eight-week suspension from any ATP-sanctioned event.

But the ATP said the fine and suspension was withheld on the condition that, over a probation period ending on Feb. 22, 2023, a year after the incident, Zverev has not incurred any more fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal or physical abuse. — Bernama