In a dramatic and highly unusual scene at the Madrid Open, Alexander Zverev found himself at the center of controversy during his match against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. 

The German star pulled out his phone mid-match, leading to a heated argument with veteran chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani and a subsequent code violation.

The flashpoint occurred when Zverev disputed a line call, believing there had been a malfunction in the Hawk-Eye system. 

Frustrated and convinced he had been wronged, Zverev yelled to Lahyani, “There’s a mistake in the system. There is a malfunction in the system.” Lahyani, however, calmly informed him that the ball had caught the line by just 1mm, according to the electronic review.

The scene sparked immediate reactions from the Spanish crowd, who hooted and booed Zverev for his actions, showing clear support for their compatriot Davidovich Fokina. Meanwhile, Lahyani, visibly frustrated, had no choice but to award Zverev a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.Not satisfied with the explanation, Zverev took matters into his own hands. 

Despite Lahyani’s repeated and urgent calls of “Please don’t do it,” Zverev walked over to his bench, pulled out his phone and proceeded to snap a photo of the ball mark on the clay as proof to back up his argument.

The bizarre moment added another layer of tension to what was already a fiery atmosphere in Madrid. Zverev’s decision to take a picture mid-match is a rare and controversial move, as players are strictly forbidden from using mobile phones during official play under ATP rules.

While emotions often run high on the court, this incident is likely to fuel further discussions about player conduct and technology’s role in officiating matches. Zverev’s frustrations were evident, but his actions may draw scrutiny and potential fines from tournament officials.

The ATP has yet to address the situation, but it reignites a bigger debate: replacing line judges with electronic calls. Players remain divided.