Police investigation launched against David Nalbandian – Tennis News
World number 39, David Nalbandian, intentionally kicked the advertisement hoarding out of frustration for losing a critical breakpoint in the second set of the AEGON Championship final on Sunday. He won the opening set tie-breaker
7-6(3) against the Croatian tennis ace, Marin Cilic, but went down 3-4 after dropping a breakpoint.
The frustration had a better of him as he kicked with full force to a side by advisement hoardings. Unfortunately, the linesman was sitting beside that and the impact of the kick injured his left shin; blood started raining out
of the linesman leg. Nalbandian was disqualified and Cilic was awarded the title. He will not be awarded 150 points that he would have gained after making an appearance in the final of the tournament and lost to the Croatian in normal fashion. However, the
consequences were not restricted to just disqualification; the 30-year-old Argentine didn’t receive his runners-up cheque and is expected to receive an eight week ban plus $10,000 fine from the Association of Tennis Professionals.
The problems didn’t end there as well. Now the Scotland Yard has launched a crime investigation against the Argentine. They are investigating the allegation of assault that is registered by a member of public. The Metropolitan
Police repetitive stated, “We are aware of an incident at the AEGON championships yesterday. A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan Police Service is now investigating. The allegation is of assault.”
Nalbandian has already issued an on-court as well as public apology to the linesman, McDougall, whose leg was injured with that unwanted frustrated reaction from the Argentine. However, it seems like world is not going to forgive
him anytime soon; a series of allegations and bans along with fines are already rumoured just a day after the incident. It is definitely a shameful act by the experience contender but frustration can definitely creep in and these types of incidents, however
unwanted, can happen at the professional level.
Considering the onslaught of arguments against Nalbandian, one can easily say that he is under the cosh but Association of Tennis Professionals is a bit too harsh on the Argentine. He has indulged in such activities earlier this
year when he threw water at the official of the Australian Open for making a very wrong call at the most crucial stage of his match against American number one, John Isner. However, players are also humans and if Djokovic can break two racquets in the same
tournament and walk away without any fine than this reaction against Nalbandian are unfair.
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