Andy Murray has lost his cool on court before, but says Alexander Zverev crossed the line with his violent outburst in Acapulco last night.
The Olympic gold-medal champion went ballistic at what he felt was an unfair call during the match tiebreak of his doubles match against Harri Heliovarra of Finland and Llloyd Glasspool of Great Britain.
More: Zverev Booted For Violent Threat
Zverev rapped his racquet three times in a row against the base of the chair umpire Alessandro Germani's seat prompting the chair umpire to move his foot to avoid a thrashing after Zverev and Marcelo Melo lost 6-2, 4-6, 10-6.
The world No. 3 was booted from the tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct following that vicious display.
Asked about Zverev's outburst after his Dubai defeat to Jannik Sinner, Murray called the ATP Finals champion's behavior "dangerous, reckless."
"Look, it was not good. It was dangerous, reckless," Murray told the media in Dubai. "Yeah, I mean, I obviously understand lots of players, athletes across lots of sports, can get very frustrated. Certainly me, myself, I've not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court. I'm certainly not claiming to be an angel. I'm not perfect myself.
"However, when you're ripping your tennis racquet right next to the umpire multiple times, yeah, you can't be doing that. I know obviously one of the British guys who was playing, as well, a bit dangerous. It's graphite flying off the racquet, as well. Yeah, was not good."
After Zverev was bounced out of Acapulco, the 24-year-old German issued this statement on Instagram apologizing for his antics.
"It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behavior during and after the doubles match," Zverev 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.
"I would also like to apologize to my fans, the tournament, and the sport that I love. As you know, I leave everything on the court. Yesterday, I left too much. I am going to take the coming days to reflect—on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again. I am sorry for letting you down."
Photo credit: Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open Facebook