- Official Andrew McDougall struck by advertising board, opening a deep gash on his left shin
- Nalbandian apologises after the match saying he was 'very frustrated'
- Argentine player expected to be punished with a 'hefty fine'
By Chris Richards
|
If he ever decides to give tennis the boot, David Nalbandian might consider football for a living.
In an outbreak of petulance after missing a shot, the former world number three, echoing the temper tantrums of John McEnroe at his worst, took a savage kick at an ad hoarding.
Unfortunately, a line judge â€" Andrew McDougall â€" was behind the board which then hit him in the shin causing a nasty gash.
The incident yesterday, during the final of the AEGON championship at Queen’s Club, ended with the Argentinian being disqualified for ‘unsportsmanlike behaviour’.
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Injured: David Nalbandian kicked an advertising board into a line judge, cutting his leg in the process
Frustration: David Nalbandian kicks out at an advertising board in front of line judge Andrew McDougall
Painful: The advertising board crashes into Andrew McDougall's leg, opening a nasty gash
The match and title were awarded to Croatian Marin Cilic. Nalbandian, 30, later apologised but insisted he should not have been made to default the match.
McEnroe himself was disqualified for swearing at an umpire at the 1990 Australian Open and Tim Henman banned for hitting a ball at a ballgirl at Wimbledon in 1995.
Nalbandian won the first set on a tie-break but reacted angrily after being broken for the second time in the second set.
Having just lost the seventh game, the 6ft 7ins Nalbandian fiercely kicked an advertising board in front of line judge Andrew McDougall's chair.
As a result of his actions, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rules meant he was disqualified.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Nalbandian, a former world number three, said: 'I am sorry.
'I am sorry to do that.
'Sometimes we get very frustrated here on court.
'It is tough to control.
'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.’
Anxious: David Nalbandian looks pensive as line judge Andrew McDougall receives treatment
Contrite: David Nalbandian apologised for his conduct in his post-match interview with the BBC's Sue Barker
Cilic said it 'definitely' wasn't the way he wanted to win the match.
'It was very bitter,' he said.
'The match was set up with David Nalbandian a break down in the second set having won the first but things like that I can't change.
'I'm really sorry to the guys for this.
'To end like this is not easy.
'The match was getting hot and it's tough to see the final finishes like this.'
Winner: Marian Cilic described his win as 'very bitter given the circumstances'
Tournament organiser Chris Kermode said: 'It is just one of those things.
'In sport these things happen.
'It was an unbelievable final, the sun was out and it was shaping up to be the best match of the week.
'David Nalbandian ran across and in frustration kicked the panel out from under the line judge.
'It splintered and cut the linesman's leg, leaving him quite seriously injured.
WHO IS DAVID NALBANDIAN?
Age:Â 30
From: Unquillo, Cordoba, ArgentinaÂ
Height: 6ft 7ins
Weight: 80kg
Plays: Right handed
Turned pro:Â 2000
World ranking: 39
Winner:Â Tennis Masters Cup 2005
Runner-up: Wimbledon, 2002
'Rules are rules.
'The ATP forced us to end the final.
'David is struggling to come to terms with it.
'He is very sorry for what he has done.'
Andrew Castle, commentating for the BBC, said: 'The final was really getting going.
'It was one hour 20 minutes of tennis that was building.
'There will be a hefty old fine for that and, more so, it will be more embarrassing for David Nalbandian.
'You should also think about the line judge who had a nasty old gash.
'It will be mortifying for Nalbandian.
'I don't think for a moment he will blame anyone else but himself.
'This one will go down in history.'
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If that line judge had been a strong looking 25-year old who looked as if he could look after himself, I don't believe for a second this "accident" would have happened.
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What really annoys me about these rude and petulant 'sportsmen' AND in many cases, the spectators, is that whether it be tennis or football, if the referees and lines people who they take their anger out on weren't there, there wouldn't BE a game- it would just be some guys hitting or kicking a ball around. I particularly HATE tennis players who are impatient with ball boys and girls. These arrogant idiots should be reminded that if these 'little people' weren't there to make the game and the competition happen, then they wouldn't be earning the ridiculous and obscene amounts of $ that they do.
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Oh dear, another Argie losing his temper after things have not gone his way.
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The old fella should have just laid him out with a single punch.
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Idiot
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He probably feels very embarrased acting out like an Enlish footballer. - John Mc, Nova Scotia, Canada., 17/06/2012 16:37 What's a Enlish? Is that a team from Canada because iv never seen a football team from Canada win anything ever! So I wouldn't know
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And the ever so slimy Sue Barker is having a good laugh with him
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his anger wasnt aimed at the judge, but the judge got hit by the board people need to seperrate that. he didnt intend to hurt the judge
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He shouldn't of done it , ... - John, Lenn, 17/6/2012 23:12
Shouldn't HAVE done it.
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An Argie kicks a board.....They try take over Falklands, we kick ass.
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