ATP will impose stricter punishment for on-court misconduct

Tennis officials will impose harsher penalties for on-court misconduct, according to the men's governing body.

The ATP also informed players that it was examining the punishments it imposed on significant infractions and repeat offenders.

Following his outbursts at Indian Wells and the Miami Open earlier this year, Australian Nick Kyrgios was fined a total of $60,000 (£45,700).

After smashing the umpire's chair with his racket, German Alexander Zverev was also ejected from the Mexican Open.

The ATP claimed the occurrences "cast a negative light on our sport" in a letter seen by the Reuters news agency.

"Effective immediately and as we head into the clay court swing," ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said, "the ATP officiating crew has been asked to adopt a stronger position in evaluating violations of the code of conduct."

"We're also conducting a review of the code and disciplinary procedures to ensure that they give appropriate and up-to-date punishments for significant offenses and repeat offenders."

Kyrgios was fined $35,000 (£26,600) in Miami for criticizing the umpire and shattering his racquet, and then $25,000 (£19,000) in Indian Wells for smashing his racquet again, almost striking a ball boy in the process.

Meanwhile, world number three Zverev, 24, was given an eight-week suspension for racquet-attacking the umpire's chair in Acapulco.

The players, according to Gaudenzi, "all have a responsibility to play in upholding the reputation and integrity" of tennis.

"There has been an exceptional frequency of high-profile instances involving unsportsmanlike conduct in the first three months of the season," the former player noted.

"This behavior has an impact on everyone and sends the incorrect message to our supporters, particularly our younger ones."