6 biggest tennis controversies in sports history

• Tennis is highly emotive and with it is a stretch of the biggest tennis controversies
• Several older folks remember John McEnroe, who caused many scandals in his time
• Retired tennis player Jimmy Connors has a fair share in the sport’s controversy. He was an all-time archenemy of McEnroe
• But, the controversy baton seems to be doing well in the hands of the younger player

Tennis is highly emotive and with it is a tall tale of contention among its players. But what are the biggest tennis controversies that rocked the sport?

Tennis has had many issues over its history. Several older folks remember John McEnroe, who caused many scandals in his time.

Retired tennis player Jimmy Connors has a fair share in the sport’s controversy. He was an all-time archenemy of McEnroe.

However, these tennis legends passed on the controversy baton to younger players. Therefore, Sportsleo brings you the biggest tennis controversies in recent years.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Novak Djokovic. Photo/Sky Sports

Just before the opening Grand Slam of 2022 that is the Australian Open, Djokovic treated the world to high octane drama in Australia.

Since his arrival to Melbourne to his unceremonious exit, Djokovic’s presence in Australia was marred by controversy. But, the controversy on whether or not he would play at the Australian Open began way back in 2021.

With his firm anti-vaccination stance and visa mix up, his arrival in Melbourne on January 5 2022 came with detention. After two weeks of a spirited fight, Djokovic was deported.

SERENA WILLIAMS US OPEN 2018

Serena Williams’ outburst at umpire Carlos Ramos in the final of the US Open in 2018 was a tennis scandal that everyone remembers. The reason for this was that she was cited for coaching, racquet abuse, and verbal abuse.

Just by this description, you can tell why this is among the biggest tennis controversies.

A point penalty and a game penalty were imposed as a result of this. A “thief” and “liar,” in her words charged the crowd which jeered at the umpire.

NICK KYRGIOS IN CINCINNATI 2019

Nick Kyrgios. Photo/Eurosport

Nick Kyrgios’ verbal and physical abuse of the umpire during his Cincinnati Masters match against Karen Khachanov remains fresh. It is the most talked-about tennis controversy of the year.

When Kyrgios was denied a toilet break in the second set, he lost his composure. He appeared to refer to the umpire as a ‘f***ing tool,’ calling him by that epithet. After an inquiry by the ATP, he was fined $113,000.

It was one of the highest fines in the history of the sport, and banned for 16 weeks.

However, he seems not to have learned his lesson. He had two outbursts in 2022 – in less than a month – and ATP fined him heavily. ATP fined him an enormous $US35,000 ($A47,000) fine after his angry outburst at the Miami Open.

But, tennis fans called for his total ban.

MARIA SHARAPOVA DOPING 2016

Maria Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, a banned chemical by the World Anti-Doping Agency, in March 2016.

An important debate in tennis at the time, this was as much as it remains among the biggest controversies in tennis. The ITF placed a two-year ban on her tennis career.

As of October 24, the Court of Arbitration for Sports found that she only drank it because of her doctor’s recommendation.

On April 26, 2017, she returned to the court at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Many players, including Eugenie Bouchard, said she should not be allowed to participate because of her cheating.

RAFAEL NADAL RIO OPEN 2015

Rafael Nadal beat Denis Shapovalov to sail through to Australian Open semi-finals. Photo/Sky Sports

Rafael Nadal was forced to change his shorts before an audience of more than 7,000 people in 2015. The chair umpire Carlos Bernardes said this was part of a time-saving measure during the Rio Open.

Rafa asked Carlos if he might go into the changing room but he refused. Carlos refused He said that he would be subject to a time violation if he left without changing his shorts first. Nadal demanded that Carlos Bernardes never officiate any of his matches after that incident.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV ATP 500 TOURNAMENT IN ACAPULCO

ATP Tour suspended Zverev for eight weeks with an additional fine of $25,000 following his outburst at, Mexican Open in Acapulco.

During Zverev’s doubles match with Marcelo Melo against the British-Finnish duo of Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara, a scuffle ensued.

Zverev smashed his racquet repeatedly on the umpire’s chair. This was after his 6-2 4-6 (10-6) defeat.

He later tendered an apology saying his outburst was uncalled for and he should have behaved better. This went down as the biggest tennis controversies ever.

Zverev already received a total of $40,000 in on-site fines for verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct in Acapulco. He also forfeited full prize money of $31,570 (singles and doubles), as well as all ATP Rankings points from the event.