Nalbandian Under Police Investigation After Kicking Incident in London

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Nalbandian Under Police Investigation After Kicking Incident in London

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Suzanne Plunkett / REUTERS

(June 18, 2012) -- The kick seen around the world will keep getting David Nalbandian more unwanted attention as London's police division has admitted they are investigating yesterday's bizarre incident involving the Argentine tennis star. Nalbandian, while up a set and a break against Marin Cilic in the singles final of the AEGON Championships in London, kicked advertising signage and caused injury to a line judge.

According to the UK Guardian, a complaint from someone watching the match was made about the incident prompting the investigation. "We are aware of an incident at the AEGON Championships on 17 June," said a Scotland Yard official. "A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan police service is now investigating. The allegation is of assault." (Video: Nalbandian injures line judge in Queen's Club final.)

Nalbandian kicked an advertisement that boxed in a line judge's chair. It was done with such force that the sign collapsed and hit the linesman in the shin, causing him to bleed. As a result, Nalbandian was defaulted from the match for unsportsmanlike conduct and thus the title was awarded to Cilic. Per ATP rules, Nalbandian will not receive any prize money nor ranking points from the tournament.

Though Nalbandian apologized to the line judge, it was the Argentine's comments about the ATP itself during the trophy ceremony and later in his press conference that rubbed salt in the wound of the situation. Nalbandian criticized the ATP for its rules especially one that requires ATP players not to speak ill of the tour. Nalbandian talked about the "pressure" players face especially when playing in less-than-ideal conditions, but it just made Nalbandian look even worse.

Nalbandian has a long history of surly behavior and was recently fined $8,000 for throwing water bottles at an official during his five-set loss to John Isner at this year's Australian Open. Though he freely admits he made a dumb mistake in allowing his anger to boil over at the wrong time in yesterday's match, the debate in the tennis community now is whether he should incur not only a fine but a possible suspension either during Wimbledon or even longer.

But with the police now involved in the matter, would a suspension over a split-second bad error of judgment do anything but keep Nalbandian on the sidelines? Many feel that the continuing embarrassment and questions Nalbandian will face about it, long after the grass court season ends, will probably be punishment enough. Whatever happens, Nalbandian has only increased his reputation as the current "bad boy of tennis" and that badge of dishonor will be a burden he'll have to carry, suspension or not, as he enters the last stages of a standout yet tumultuous career.