London Police Called In to Probe Nalbandian Incident

Written by: Staff on 19th June 2012

London Police Called In to Probe Nalbandian Incident

epa03269828 A dejected looking David Nalbandian from Argentina after loosing by default to Croatia's Marin Cilic during the Aegon Tennis Championship final in London, Britain, 17 June 2012. Cilic won by default 6-7, 4-3 after Nalbandian had injured a line judge by kicking the court boarding. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

London police are probing the circumstances of David Nalbandian’s angry kick which inadvertently injured a linesman on the shin during the weekend’ Queen’s club final, British media reported on Monday.

Croatian Marin Cilic won the grass title 6-7 (3-7), 4-3 as the furious Argentine was disqualified for kicking at a low advertising panel, with a board flying up and cutting the linesman’s shin after Nalbandian was broken in the seventh game of the second set.

The Argentine, 2002 Wimbledon finalist, apologized to the crowd during the trophy presentation.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard told London’s Guardian: “We are aware of an incident on 17 June. A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan police service is now investigating. The allegation is of assault.”

Under ATP rules, the 2002 Wimbledon finalist will lose around 37,000 dollars in prize money, his ranking points and could be fined up to 10,000 Euros (12,500 dollars).

The default looks unlikely to keep the former Wimbledon finalist from a return visit. “There was no way he intended to do that, it would be foolish to say he’s not welcomed back to this tournament,” tournament director Chris Kermode said shortly after the Argentine’s angry outburst.

“The tennis he’s played this week has been phenomenal, and actually one of the best matches he played was on Court 1 against (Xavier) Malisse. The standard of tennis was outrageous. The crowd liked him; he’s devastated by this, as you can imagine.”

The outburst was one of the most memorable since Britain’s Tim Henman was disqualified at Wimbledon in the 1995 doubles, when he accidentally hit a ball girl after missing a shot. Andre Agassi was twice disqualified: in 1996 at Indianapolis for a verbal obscenity and in 1998 in San Jose.

The fierce blow sent a wooden board into the official’s shin, with ATP supervisor Tom Barnes immediately disqualifying the South American. “Once I saw the injury, no, that was not a judgment call. I didn’t have any other option,” said American Barnes, one of the most experienced of ATP officials.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andrew McDougall, David Nalbandian, tennis injury, Tennis News, Xavier Malisse