ALEXANDER ZVEREV OUTBURST: RAFAEL NADAL SEEKS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ABUSE OF TENNIS OFFICIALS

 Rafael Nadal has called for stiffer penalties to be imposed upon tennis stars who abuse officials following Alexander Zverev controversial sentence suspension after outburst in Acapulco.

The German Olympic gold medallist was kicked out of the singles draw at the ATP 500 tournament last month when he smashed his racquet on an umpire’s chair following a doubles defeat.

Zverev has since been given a one-year probation with no immediate punishment and Nadal feels it’s time to clamp down on what he believes to be a growing trend of dissent.

Nadal was speaking with newsmen recently ahead of his first involvement at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament on Saturday.

The Spaniard is a three-time champion in the desert and arrives on the back of a stunning 15-match winning streak that has seen him kick off 2022 with three titles, including a record 21st Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open.