EmailLondon police are investigating an allegation of assault on a line judge after tennis star David Nalbandian flew into an on-court rage that caused an inch-long gash on a line judge’s shin.
Nalbandian was one set up but down in the second set in his match against Marin Cilic at the AEGON Championships at London’s Queen’s Court on Sunday.
In front of a posh crowd at one of Europe’s oldest tennis clubs, the Argentine ace snapped and kicked in an advertisement, which flew into a line judge Andrew McDougall’s shin, causing him to bleed in front of the shocked fans.
“We are aware of an incident at the AEGON Championships on June 17,” a Scotland Yard representative told the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph. “A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan Police Service is now investigating. The allegation is of assault.”
After the embarrassing incident Nalbandian lost the match after being disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, and lost his nearly $56,000 in prize money. He may also be fined $10,000.
“I am sorry and remorseful for what happen in today’s Queen’s final. I had [no] intention of hitting the linesman and it was an unfortunate reaction to the loss of a point. I had the opportunity to apologize in person,” Nalbandian said at a press conference following the match.
“I realize this was a very regrettable incident. Finally I apologize to the public, the director of the tournament and my fans and followers in Argentina and around the world,” he added.
The incident, which comes a week before the start of The Championships at Wimbledon, was quite the embarrassment for Nalbandian, who is ranked number 30 in the world.
“It’s certainly not going to do any wonders for his public image,” BBC Sport’s Andy Swiss said. “He’s an experienced player, he’s been around the block. And I have no doubt he’ll come back from this.”
Cilic, who won by default was bewildered after the incident. He said that he was sorry too.
“I’m really sorry for the guys it had to end like this,” he said.
Incidentally, Queen’s Club is the same venue where John McEnroe got into trouble for swearing at the chairman’s wife over a mix up with a practice court booking.
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Tennis. Who watches Tennis? I’d rather watch my fingernails grow. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by: Name(Required) | June 18, 2012, 10:13 am 10:13 am
I’m so sick of this “Everybody makes mistakes” cop out. He should be banned from tennis for life to get the point across to other players. ANY sports violence should have ZERO tolerance. Especially violence towards judging officials.
Posted by: Buddy Gold | June 18, 2012, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Accidental and absolutely not assault…Stupid of Nalbandian yes…But kicking a sign is not assault by any stretch of the imagination…Personally I like the spirit of the old players and think it is this gentlemanly crap that is making the game boring…Bring back Conners…!!!!
Posted by: asiaman | June 18, 2012, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Are you nuts? the sign was inches from the judges shin! He did not need to wilfully intend harm on the judge for it to be assault – although I believe he DID know the sign would give, when kicked, and hit the judge. He didn’t think about ANYTHING and didn’t realize it would injure the judge. What ever the equivalent, he should be arrested, treated like every other violent criminal. Perhaps the time it would take to resolve the case WOULD prevent him from competing in Wimbledon.
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Accidental and absolutely not assault…Stupid of Nalbandian yes…But kicking a sign is not assault by any stretch of the imagination
Posted by: pwgrant | June 18, 2012, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
An inch-long gash? Egads, HOWEVER will he survive?
Posted by: Jake | June 18, 2012, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
Nalbandian should be punished thoroughly by the Tennis Association for his arrogant, reckless, and irresponsible behavior. It’s not like he threw his raquet down out of anger and a piece of it hit the line judge or some spectator in the head from across the court. That would have been terrible, but who would have expected it?
But Nalbandian kicked the bench as hard as he could – a bench with an old man sitting on it! What arrogance and complete disrespect for another human being! Who but the nastiest punks would kick a bench out of anger when there’s someone sitting on it? And not just anyone, but an elderly man? Only one of the biggest jerks on the planet – David Nalbandian.
Posted by: Pavel | June 18, 2012, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Oops my comment was for Buddy Gold not Asiaman
Posted by: anen | June 18, 2012, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm
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Posted by: Anjanette Scharpman | April 5, 2013, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm