Nalbandian sorry for Queen’s outburst

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: David Nalbandian of Argentina (L) protests to ATP World Tour Supervisor Tom Barnes (R) as tournament director Chris Kermode looks on after learning he is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct during his mens singles final round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 17, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: David Nalbandian of Argentina (L) protests to ATP World Tour Supervisor Tom Barnes (R) as tournament director Chris Kermode looks on after learning he is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct during his mens singles final round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 17, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Published Jun 17, 2012

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London – Argentina's David Nalbandian was sensationally disqualified from the Queen's Club final on Sunday for angrily kicking an advertising board at a linesjudge which left the official suffering a gashed and bloodied leg.

The fiery Nalbandian, who had won the first set 7-6 (7/3) against Croatia's Marin Cilic, had just lost his serve to fall 4-3

down in the second when he reacted with a frustrated kick at the board, which was just in front of line judge Andrew McDougall.

A stunned McDougall then rolled up his trousers to reveal a bloody gash on his leg before appearing to remonstrate with Nalbandian.

Play came to a halt and after a delay of several minutes, ATP supervisor Tom Barnes came onto the court to speak to umpire Fergus Murphy and Nalbandian.

It soon emerged that the 30-year-old's petulant behaviour had been punished with disqualification “due to unsportsmanike behaviour”.

Nalbandian responded by waving his arms in frustration while the 6,000-capacity crowd jeered, but the former Wimbledon finalist later returned to the court to apologise for his actions.

“I am sorry to do that. Sometimes we get very frustrated here on court. It is tough to control,” he said, before also launching into a rant against ATP chiefs.

“It is a mistake. It is a tough moment to end a final like that. Sometimes we feel the pressure from the ATP. It is a mistake and I have to pay for that. Everybody makes mistakes.”

Barnes said that Nalbandian had accepted the sanction and said further punishment was likely to follow.

“He knows the rules and knew what was going to happen. He didn't do it intentionally. He lost control and a guy got hurt,” said Barnes.

“I am not surprised by what he said about the ATP.”

Nalbandian was understood to be unhappy with playing conditions at the Queen's Club, a traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon, where the schedule had been badly affected by rain all week.

“The grass had been slippery. Maybe he thought it wasn't safe. But the courts were playable,” added Barnes. – Sapa-AFP

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